This document discusses using GPS and geocaching to enhance student learning through an activity called "educaching". Educaching involves teacher-led scavenger hunts where students use GPS devices to locate caches containing educational materials. Some benefits of educaching include promoting hands-on learning, collaboration, and engaging multiple subjects. Examples provided demonstrate how caches can be used to teach concepts in areas like math, geography, science, music, and language arts. Resources for educators interested in implementing educaching are also listed.

1. EmpoweringEmpowering
Student LearnersStudent Learners
with GPSwith GPS
Anna Baralt, Ed.D.Anna Baralt, Ed.D.
Director of EducationalTechnologyDirector of EducationalTechnology
Shorecrest Preparatory SchoolShorecrest Preparatory School
abaralt@shorecrest.orgabaralt@shorecrest.org /Twitter: abaralt/Twitter: abaralt
Presented FETC 2015

3. What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?
 A high-tech scavenger hunt utilizingA high-tech scavenger hunt utilizing
the GPS system.the GPS system.
 Goal: to locate hidden treasure fromGoal: to locate hidden treasure from
latitude/longitude coordinates foundlatitude/longitude coordinates found
on websites such as Geocaching.comon websites such as Geocaching.com
 Caches Worldwide: 2,543,349Caches Worldwide: 2,543,349
 Estimated Geocachers Worldwide:Estimated Geocachers Worldwide:
over 6 millionover 6 million
 Logs Recorded in last 30 Days:Logs Recorded in last 30 Days:
over 8 millionover 8 million

4. Geocaching EducachingGeocaching Educaching
 Educaching takes the conceptEducaching takes the concept
of geocaching into theof geocaching into the
curriculum.curriculum.
 Teacher-led, student-drivenTeacher-led, student-driven
hunts using GPS technology,hunts using GPS technology,
maps, and other navigationalmaps, and other navigational
tools.tools.
 Students work in teams to findStudents work in teams to find
educational caches.educational caches.

5. Why Use Educaching inYourWhy Use Educaching inYour
Curriculum?Curriculum?
 Promotes active, hands-on studentPromotes active, hands-on student
participation.participation.
 Engages students in real-world tasks.Engages students in real-world tasks.
 Fosters collaboration and cooperation.Fosters collaboration and cooperation.
 Encourages problem solving and decisionEncourages problem solving and decision
making.making.
 Increases understanding of mappingIncreases understanding of mapping
systems, direction, distance and locations.systems, direction, distance and locations.
Benefits to Students

6. Why Use Educaching inYourWhy Use Educaching inYour
Curriculum?Curriculum?
 Allows the creation of a student-centered learningAllows the creation of a student-centered learning
environment.environment.
 Teaching takes place in an authentic, real-world way.Teaching takes place in an authentic, real-world way.
 Engages the multiple intelligences.Engages the multiple intelligences.
 Embed learning in a collaborative, social environment.Embed learning in a collaborative, social environment.
 Easily integrated across the curriculum.Easily integrated across the curriculum.
Benefits to Teachers

7. The BasicsThe Basics
 CacheCache = a hiding place that= a hiding place that
temporarily stores itemstemporarily stores items
 EducacheEducache = an item or container= an item or container
hidden for students to find thathidden for students to find that
directly applies to their learningdirectly applies to their learning
 WaypointWaypoint = a marked location that is= a marked location that is
stored in the memory of your GPSstored in the memory of your GPS
receiverreceiver
 Travel BugTravel Bug = trackable item followed= trackable item followed
on Geocaching.com.on Geocaching.com.
 MuggleMuggle = a non-geocacher= a non-geocacher

8. Educaching Without a GPSEducaching Without a GPS
 Can still start withoutCan still start without
GPS receivers.GPS receivers.
 Use maps andUse maps and
compasses.compasses.
 Containers for caches.Containers for caches.
Be creative.Be creative.

9. Getting Started –Travel BugsGetting Started –Travel Bugs
 A trackable item.A trackable item.
 Tracked on Geocaching.com.Tracked on Geocaching.com.
 Acts like a hitchhiker, movedActs like a hitchhiker, moved
from cache to cache.from cache to cache.
 Geocachers log the bug’sGeocachers log the bug’s
movements.movements.
 Pictures can be uploaded too.Pictures can be uploaded too.

10. HowTravel Bugs WorkHowTravel Bugs Work
 Purchase a Geotag fromPurchase a Geotag from
Geocaching.comGeocaching.com
 Can be given any mission.Can be given any mission.
 Tie into curriculum.Tie into curriculum.
 Use Google Earth to record theUse Google Earth to record the
bug’s travels.bug’s travels.
 .KMZ or .KML files can be.KMZ or .KML files can be
downloaded from website.downloaded from website.
 Minimal cost to get started.Minimal cost to get started.

11. Mrs. Swirly WhirlMrs. Swirly Whirl
This is Mrs. Swirly Whirl. We are 2nd graders in St. Petersburg, FL.
Our bug wants to visit the Sears Tower in the state of Illinois. She
would like to climb to the top. Please take pictures of our bug on its
travels.
Washington, DC
Arlington, VA
Sears
Tower
Start of the Mississippi

12. NuggetNugget
27, 138 miles
11 States
13 Countries
3 Continents
Our class is learning about geocaching and
the seven continents. This is our travel bug
Nugget. We want him to travel around the
world. Please move him to a new cache.

13. FollowingTravel BugsFollowingTravel Bugs
 Keep a map in classroom or onKeep a map in classroom or on
bulletin board in hallway.bulletin board in hallway.
 Use .KMZ files to teach how toUse .KMZ files to teach how to
use Google Earth.use Google Earth.
 Research each location the bugResearch each location the bug
ends up – teachable moments.ends up – teachable moments.
 Pony ExpressPony Express
 Mount RushmoreMount Rushmore
 Washington, DCWashington, DC
 Keep a scrapbook of photos withKeep a scrapbook of photos with
write-ups from research.write-ups from research.

14. Research SkillsResearch Skills
Third Grade VoiceThread
GPS Webquest

15. MathMath
Sorting, Classifying, and Graphing
www.createagraph.com

16. Math & GeographyMath & Geography
Identifying Foreign Currency & Converting to US Dollars
Fourth Grade Video

17. Continent StudyContinent Study
http://aboutasia.wikispaces.com/
2nd Grade Asia Video
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/flags_of_asia.htm

18. Landforms / Bodies of WaterLandforms / Bodies of Water

19. TimelinesTimelines
http://www.softschools.com/teacher_resources/timeline_maker/
Inventions Cache – Students used an online tool to create a timeline of
toys. Served as a kickoff for a biography project on famous inventors.

20. Earth DayEarth Day
Recycling (Essential Questions)
1. What are the 3 steps of the recycling process? (Not the 3 R’s)
2. In your own words, what is recycling?
3. How much trash is disposed in landfills in the US each year?
4. What is special about the design of landfills?
5. Name 6 types of trash that can contaminate land, water, or
air if not disposed of properly.
6. Why must you sort different types of glass when recycling?
7. What can be made by recycling high-density polyethylene?
8. Name 6 different ways old tires are recycled?
9.How can you determine if your can is made of aluminum and
recyclable?
10. Why are there seven different recycling codes for practice?
Earth Day Cache – Students use selected websites to answer essential
questions about recycling, pollution, water, and composting.

21. BiomesBiomes
Biomes Comic Life Samples

22. Music and Research SkillsMusic and Research Skills
Clue Cards
Jazz Website

23. Adjective BrainstormAdjective Brainstorm
Find photos in caches,
then use mapping software
to brainstorm adjectives
before writing a descriptive
paragraph.

24. PoetryPoetry
Find photos or word cards in caches, then use a word processor to
write haiku poetry.

25. Other IdeasOther Ideas
Physical Education: PE coaches establish caches across campus. Notes inside the
caches require students complete a physical fitness task at each location - curl-ups
or partial curl-ups, endurance run/walk, pull-ups or right angle push-ups, and V-sit or
sit and reach. These tasks correspond with the The President's Physical Fitness
Test.
Collaboration with Younger Students: Have older students work with teachers of
younger students to create and hide caches. Then partner the older students with the
younger students to teach them how to use the GPS.
Amazing Race & Language Integration: Students wrote challenges in the foreign
language they study, hid caches, learned to mark waypoints on the GPS devices,
and then used those waypoints to navigate to their challenges.
Tree and Plant Species: Hide caches near different species of native trees and
plants. Have students use digital cameras to document their finds. Create slideshows
with the pictures and facts from research.

26. ResourcesResources
 Using GPS Wiki http://usinggps.wikispaces.comUsing GPS Wiki http://usinggps.wikispaces.com
 BrainPopBrainPop
https://www.brainpop.com/technology/transportation/globalpositionhttps://www.brainpop.com/technology/transportation/globalposition
ingsystem/ingsystem/
 Book- Educaching: GPS Based Curriculum forTeachersBook- Educaching: GPS Based Curriculum forTeachers
http://www.educaching.com/http://www.educaching.com/
 Dr. Alice Christie’s GPS and Geocaching Guide for EducatorsDr. Alice Christie’s GPS and Geocaching Guide for Educators
http://www.alicechristie.org/geocaching/index.htmlhttp://www.alicechristie.org/geocaching/index.html
 The Complete Idiot’s Guide to GeocachingThe Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geocaching by JackW. Peters ©2004by JackW. Peters ©2004
 Pinterest BoardPinterest Board