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GPS in the Classroom
Using the Global Positioning System to bring the world to your
students
“What looks like a GameBoy, is fun
to use, and gets you off the couch and into the world?”[1] |
In a world full of flashy high tech gadgets that are obsolete before
we purchase them, educators are trapped between the reality of shrinking
budgets and rising standards. How do we break through cultural and economic
barriers to ensure that no child is left behind? How can we capture students’
imaginations; help them find their place in the universe; and guide them
on their journey through life?
With the ability to harness the power of up to 12 of the 24 satellites
that orbit 12,500 miles above the earth, at a fraction of the cost of
a computer, many teachers are turning to the Global Positioning System
(GPS). Entry level GPS receivers, which can be purchased with less than
$100, display basic geographic information: latitude, longitude, elevation,
direction, and bearing. Better quality receivers include altimeters, magnetic
compasses, detailed topographic and city maps, points of interest, and
the ability to increase the unit’s memory with secure digital cards.
Manufacturers also offer software to upload and view your data on a personal
computer. [2]
GPS is all around us: Archaeologists mark
culturally significant sites, military historians mark troop movements
on battlefields, emergency responders find accidents and residences,
utilities map existing lines and plan new ones. Students can conduct
field investigations with the tools that professionals use every
day. [3] |
Whether your GPS receivers were purchased with a technology grant or
donated to make room for a newer model, teachers are faced with the ultimate
question: Now what? Learning to use a new piece of equipment, and finding
curriculum that captures the students’ imaginations yet meets California’s
educational standards, can be daunting. It’s tempting to toss the
GPS receivers into a drawer and return to familiar teaching tools.
Fortunately, answers to most of your GPS questions can
be found on the internet. Teacher web sites contain examples of successful
curriculum, agencies supply information on how GPS works and State standards
that can be met, and non-profit groups and individuals provide programs
that allow students to enter and track their data as part of a real-world
project.
The purpose of this web page is to guide public, private,
and home school educators and students on their journey into the world
of GPS. The State of California does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy
of any of these web sites, nor does it provide a comprehensive list of
available projects and programs. This is merely a place to begin; a small
sample of the many and diverse educational uses of GPS. We are limited
only by our imaginations.
 Begin
Your Journey
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