ICT+Presentation+-+GPS+and+Google+Earth

Presented by Tullia Mak on Jun 11, 2009.

//**(Feel free to extend our class discussion in the "discussion" area of this page. )**//

=**__Overview of Presentation__**=


 * 1) GPS (Global Positioning System)
 * How does it work?
 * []
 * What can you do with GPS?
 * Locating (By getting your Latitude and Longitude Coordinates. )
 * Navigating (GPS in your car)
 * Tracking (Mobile Service Providers rely on the GPS to track the signal levels of the cell sites in the street. )
 * Mapping (Creating accurate street maps. )
 * Timing (Precise timing information used by Cell Phone. )
 * Getting the Hardware:
 * Off-the-shelf GPS Devices: [|Online review of existing devices].
 * Getting [|GPS with tracking feature (Link for teachers)].
 * Creating a GPS with an iPhone (Search for "GPS" in "App Store". I tried "MotionX GPS Lite". "GPS Kit" seems decent too. )
 * [|Geo-caching - treasure hunt with GPS]: [|Official Geocaching Page] (E.g. Search for Geo-caching around SFU with postal code: V5A 1S6) - Navigating
 * [|GPS 1-2-3: Teaching Ideas for GPS] - Tracking
 * [|Drawing with GPS Workshop]- Tracking
 * [|Outdated GPS Lesson Plan] - A mixed bag.
 * Generally speaking, if you do a Google Search, you will realize that the GPS lesson plans aren't included in more up-to-date blogs. For example, there are a lot of broken links in this page. It is a good indicator that the technology is no longer under the limelight.
 * 1) Google Earth - The Current Educational Geographic Tool
 * A tool designed to be used in a classroom.
 * [|Official Google Earth Educator's Page] : Good Introduction to the software and its educational values
 * [|Real World Math - Using Google Earth in the Math Curriculum]
 * Lesson Plan Exploration #1: [|Volume of Solids]
 * Lesson Plan Exploration #2: [|Mazes and Labyrinths]
 * Lesson Plan Exploration #2: [|Mazes and Labyrinths]
 * Ancient Rome 3D Curriculum Competition
 * Winner: Benjamin Johnson of Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine for his lesson, [|Walking in the Footsteps of the Romans]
 * Video Lesson: media type="youtube" key="1bzpgMCtdp8" height="349" width="425"
 * //Google Map (A Google Earth Alternative)//
 * [|Official Google Map Educator's Page]
 * [|Fun Google Map Treasure Hunt]
 * [|Fun Google Map Treasure Hunt]

=__Discussion:__=

( We will talk more about // Google Earth on July 17 //, our focus today is GPS and how we can use it with Google Earth. )

// Like WebQuest, GPS is the *technology* from the last century. The geographic tool, educators prefer nowadays is Google Earth. However, if you take a closer look at the two tools, you will realize that they are completely different. Google Earth allows you to analyze data of our real world, while GPS allows you to collect data from the real world. Inquiry-learning can be achieved through both technologies. I believe there the GPS technology still have a lot of potential in the classroom. //
 * 1) How can you use GPS in your classroom? (Consider students' age, subject area, scope and risk factors. )
 * 2) The beauty of Google Earth is that it allows teachers to explore places without traveling to a destination. Is there any issues with that?
 * 3) Is it possible for educators to use GPS along with Google Earth in your classroom? Brainstorm some possible activities and usage in your classroom.

Class Discussion Log:
 * GPS is a great for field trip, an outside of classroom tool.
 * Limited application of GPS inside a classroom.
 * How about the traditional tracking and mapping devices like maps, compasses and clinometer? (We should consider teaching students to use these tools as well. ).
 * Cons: It is less accessible than Google Earth. More expensive.
 * Application in Classroom:
 * PE Lesson: Tracking the activities and location for students.


 * Physics: Rather than using fictional data, students can create their data by tracking and mapping distances.


 * Google Earth: Help students to visualize foreign countries without leaving the classroom.

=__Further Investigation__=

//GPS//
media type="custom" key="3956741"

//Google Earth//
media type="custom" key="3956749"

//Google Map//
media type="custom" key="3956753"