safety

Geocaching

/ emilymoliveira / Leave a comment

Geocaching

Geocaching is an real-world outdoor recreational activity where participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) device to hide and seek “Geocaches” that are cleverly placed all over the world. Here is a short video to help explain:

https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2018/10/geocaching-hq-highlight-the-visitors-center/

When Geocaching started in early 2000, there were only 75 geocaches, now there are over 3 million official Geocaches spread across 190 countries. All Geocaches can be found on Geocaching.com, and there is an associated app that you can download on your mobile device to hide and find caches.

Geocaches come in all different sizes, and are hidden as different difficulty levels. There are 14 types of official caches:

The most common types are the Traditional cache, the Multi-cache, and the Mystery Cache. Within the Traditional cache, there are three specific types based on size: the Micro cache, Standard Cache, and a Macro cache.

The steps of Geocaching are as follows: 1) pick a cache at Geocaching.com, 2)navigate to the coordinates with your phone or GPS device, and 3) once at your coordinates, use the clue or solve the puzzle to find your cache! But there are some rules and etiquette to keep in mind while you’re Geocaching.

  1. Every cache must contain a log book, if you find a cache, you must sign the logbook
  2. Most caches have a series of items in them, often associated with a theme, if you want to take an item, you must trade for it, and leave something behind (TSLS)
  3. Geocachers are usually quite environmentally conscience, so it makes sense that one major rule is that if you see any trash while you’re out, you have to pack it out with you. Better known as “Cache In, Trash Out” (CITO).
  4. Finally, after you have found that cache, log in to Geocaching.com and rate the cache, you can also comment on any damage or general comments you have.

Applications:

Geocaching is a tool that can be used by teachers cross-curricularly. It uses ESRI geographic information system software as a free license resource for education. Students and teachers can download the app for free, but because it shares GPS information, it might be best to use handheld GPS devices with students. Most obviously, it can be used as a way to have students practice following GPS, but Geocaching can be used across the disciplines.

  1. Art: Teachers can have students create their own cache, build it in a creative container, decorate it, and include a small treasure made in class. Students will need to follow the guidelines of what needs to be included in a Geocache, decide where to hide it, and create a clue for other people to use.
  2. Science: One specific type of cache is called a lab cache. To solve the cache, the finder must perform an experiment. Science teachers can either find a preexisting lab cache with their students, create one together as a class project, or create one for their students, building on a skill or concept they learned in class. With regular caches, teachers can have students record biodiversity at the cache site, or track how many different species they saw on the way.
  3. History: Teachers can use Geocaching as a way to discover more about historical sites around the city. They can send students to a cache and have them learn about the significance of the site, or they can first study the site, and then explore it through geocaching.
  4. English Language Arts: Teachers could have students write poems to describe the location of the cache. Students can also create themed caches relating to their novel study, working in groups to make the container, log book, and content represent an element of their novel. They can write a clue that would be theme appropriate, hide it, and have the class find it. Once found, the group could present about the cache they created.
  5. Physical Education: Geocaching would be a great way to get a class outside on a nature walk, ensuring students were engaged and motivated to get to the cache!
  6. Mathematics: Teachers can have students in groups find different caches. They can then plot the sites on graph, and find the distance between each one.

The list above is only the beginning, as the possibilities for using Geocaching in the classroom are endless.

Post by Georgia Clyde and Emily M Oliveira

iNaturalist

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iNaturalist is a citizen science project. It is a platform based on crowd sourcing. People record their findings in the app, and the app collects biodiversity information. It also includes an automated species identification function, using AI. Cool.

There is a version called “Seek” by iNaturalist that is “kid-safe” and “family-friendly,” because no registration is required and it collects no user data, meaning observations are not submitted to the iNaturalist database. This is a great function for the classroom, because you don’t need to worry so much about permission. It keeps kids’ locations safe and secure.

Users can collect their own observations, join projects near them, and view all the collections near them.

The Good:

  • Engaging for students
  • real life biology
  • a way to get outside and still learn
  • Free

The Bad:

  • The app itself could cause problems for teachers needing permission, as it collects user information (location)
  • American app, information collected goes to the USA

Definitely would use for my classes!

Privacy and Safety Seminar

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Jesse Miller came to class today to discuss technology in the classroom.

                                                WHO IS JESSE MILLER?!?!

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He shared a lot of great info on teens and cell phones, social media in the class, and our own protection for our professional lives.

 

Teens and Cell Phones

I think that it is second nature for humans to play a game of “us and them”. We, mature adults, are better than young, ignorant teens. Obvious. Right?

WRONG.

Jesse made me realize that I am as much a culprit of cell-phone addiction that any teen. I myself will be “multitasking” constantly seeing what is happening on my cellphone.

Teens can be doing any number of things on their phones, but rather than shaming them, or scolding them, we need to set firm boundaries and expectation, and take a second to understand where they are coming from. Set an accountability clause for your classroom. For example,”you can have a cellphone, but you are responsible for being respectful and getting all the material”.

As a teacher, we have the right to confiscate student phones, but not look through them. We also have to be prepared to answer to parents when they are upset their child’s phone has been taken.

Social Media in the Classroom

Social Media can be a great tool in the classroom. Teachers use it as a platform to communicate upcoming events, or share class material. But, it is important to keep a few things in mind when using social media.

  1. Be clear with administration of your intent, and get approval before doing it.
  2. Don’t use your personal email address or accounts. Always use the professional email provided by your workplace.
  3. Be careful that accounts aren’t linked, and that students aren’t accessing your personal life.

Protecting Ourselves

Things to remember, “Items posted online can and will be used against you”.. a joke, I know. But its something to think about. As teachers, everything that is accessible to the public can be viewed by students, and probably will be.

Not only should we think about our own digital footprints, but also about Digital Consent. Our own digital consent is often overlooked, but it is important to be sensitive of our students (and/or parents) consenting before adding them to a group, taking their photograph, sharing their phone numbers, etc.

Lastly, we need to educate ourselves on the school districts policies: social media, cell phone, and technology. If in doubt, its important to clarify with administration to ensure that we are following the right rules.