Christie, A. (2007). Using GPS and Geocaching Engages, Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Students. Meridian 10 (1). Retrieved on March 18, 2008 from http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/win2007/gps/index.htm.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Dr. Alice Christie from ASU, supports the use of GPS and geocaching as a teaching tool in the constructivist classroom. In an effort to provide professional development opportunities for "teachers to explore ways to create constructivist learning environments", Dr. Christie developed the E6 Learning Model. Her model was initially used to engage teachers in relevant learning, encourage the exchange of information, and empower teachers to use new technologies. The workshops she gave, utitlizing GPS units and geocaching, provided teachers the time to explore new technologies, explain real-world data, and exhibit their new knowledge.
Essentialy, Dr. Christie had teachers experience inquiry-based learning through her geocaching workshops. Participants of her workshops commented that her E6 model fostered collaboration, discovery learning, and opportunities to make mistakes in a safe environment. Once the teachers saw how powerful student-driven learning could be, they adopted her model into their classrooms. Here is an example of a 6th grade unit developed from her model:
Social Studies Standard:
Students understand the National Park System in the United States.
Assignment:
Students plan a family vacation to one of eight US National Parks.
Students create an expense chart for travel, meals, hotel.
Students create a brochure advertising their family vacation to share with peers.
Introductory Lesson:
Teacher introduced vacation destinations by writing clues for eight geocaches, one at each park location.
Working in teams, students solved clues to locate geocaches and identify the eight parks.
Students gathered information about each state park to help them in completing the assignment.
I feel that the use of GPS units and geocaching in the 6th grade cross-curricular unit was a great way to introduce the project, get students motivated, foster communication and promote collaboration. The addition of geocaching added a discovery-learning component that made a good project even better.
1 comment:
You know, I wonder why more of our trainings aren't done by having the teachers interacting rather than having someone read us a powerpoint! The more I read about your geocaching, the more interested I get. Thank you so much for teaching me about something new!
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