GPS as a Teaching Tool
A Scavenger Hunt with Historical Ramifications
GPS Excels in Helping Educate
Source acquired via Leader Post, May 21, 2010, Regina, Canada – the Regina government has decided to try to bring history to life for elementary school kids with the help of GPS tracking devices. Minister Dustin Duncan is launching a new program called “Geocaching the Garden” that will take place at Government House.
Search and Find Fun
Approximately two years ago, Government House staff began restoring Government House and its property. While working to repair the Edwardian home, staff located various historical locations and artifacts. Rather than removing these items, Government House staff decided to create a kind of living history program for grade school kids. By handing each child who visits Government House a GPS tracking device, the children can then roam the grounds looking for hidden historical items.
Executive Director of Government House, Carrie Ross, believes that “…there are a lot of historical artefacts and landmarks within the gardens, so we want kids to learn about history, but we want kids to have fun while they’re learning.” Those children who visit Government House will have “…different landmarks and historical facts of their GPS and they have to go out and find them.” Those students who helped launch the program have found the GPS trackers easy to use. One child told press that using a GPS tracker was “…kind of like a treasure hunt.”
The Geocaching program is set to launch in July of 2010 at the Government House in Regina. Schools that are interested in becoming part of this program can contact the Government House directly. Otherwise, children between the ages of 14 to 17 are encouraged to visit Government House in order to find out more about this historical place with the help of GPS tracking technology.
Watch for More of This Type of Education
Using GPS tracking devices in order to teach children is an idea that has just begun to emerge. As more and more people become familiar with GPS tracking technology, finding new ways to use these devices will also become apparent. The Government House geocaching project is the first one of its kind, but it’s certain to pave the way for others. Various museums that have large gardens may find geocaching a novel new idea that is bound to draw visitors.
Children thoroughly enjoy hunting for treasures, which is why a geocaching program such as the one at Government House works. By handing a childe a clipboard and GPS tracker, children can become lost and absorbed in history first-hand. Unlike standard museum exhibits, teaching kids history through a hands-on experience is both rewarding and engaging.
Tags: artifacts, geocaching the garden, Government house, GPS, GPS Excels, Helping Education, Teaching Tools
No related posts.
