Engaging, Empowering, and Enlightening Part 2

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.

According to Dr. Christie, it will take some time before formal research on the emerging technology of GPS receivers and their use in educational settings will take place. Therefore, she looks in the direction of constructivism to justify using this new technology in the classroom.

A curriculum based on the constructivist theory is student-centered. It fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. Learning takes place in an authentic, real-world context where students are encouraged to analyze and interpret information. Dr. Christie believes that the use of GPS technology and geocaching is a perfect match for a constructivist classroom. She also sites the goals of ISTE in that learning environments should facilitate problem solving, collaborating, and communicating.

Here are some of the tenets of constructivist learning that underlie her position (Section IV: Review of Research)

- Problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills are emphasized
- Students seek knowledge independently through exploration
- Primary data sources ensure real-world authenticity
- Learners build on knowledge base through increasingly complex tasks
- Collaboration exposes learners to different viewpoints
- Assessment is authentic and part of the learning process

In my next blog post, I will continue a review of this article, highlighting Dr. Christie's E6 Learning Model for professional development and K-12 settings using geocaching.