National Council of Social Studies - 2007

Presented by Craig Howat

What is Geocaching?

Game of “high tech hide and seek” using a GPS.

A GPS user hides a “treasure” and publishes the coordinates for others to find.

A GPS user follows those published coordinates to find the “treasure”.

The Envelope

Open the envelope.

Read instructions.

Complete the tasks.

Place a sticker on their map.

Rotate jobs & move to the next cache.

1. Read the sign on the wall of the Cathedral. What happened to the original building in 1788? Record a complete sentence and pedometer distance in your handheld.2. Go inside the Cathedral and take a picture of a piece of artwork. How does this artwork reflect the culture of New Orleans? 3. Use your MP3 player and your interviewing skills to meet someone who makes money from tourists. Ask them if business has returned to pre-Katrina levels and ask them why they love New Orleans.

Example of tasks at a cache…

Tasks - Cartographer

Sony Voice Recorder

Ease of useFunctionsCostTouristSteam Boat

Tasks - Navigator

GPS - Garmin E trex

Ease of use

Functions

Cost

Tasks - Journalist

HP iPAQ Handheld Device

Ease of use

Functions

Cost

Tasks - Photographer

Sony Cybershot

Ease of use

Functions

Cost

High / Low Tech Tools High Tech Low Tech

GPS Unit Street map & ruler

Digital Camera Disposable Camera

Handheld Computer Clipboard

MP3 player Tape recorder

Pedometer

Final ProductUsing Microsoft Photo Story

Insert photos

Insert audio

Insert MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint

Example: Final Movie

MS Photo Story Tutorial

Online ResourcesNCSS Social Studies Standards

ISTE Technology Standards

Photo Story Download

Google Earth Download

Service Learning

Jordan Fundamentals Grant

Best Buy Teach Award

Funding Partners