1. Geocaching in Geography: An Analysis of GPS Receivers as Tools for Technology Integration into the Middle School Social Studies Classroom Robert Mayben CAT 689 The University of Alabama

2. Definition of Terms Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Global Positioning Systems (GPS) – Satellite navigation system consisting of 24 satellites maintained by the US DoD – Satellites broadcast position and time data to users – Handheld GPS receivers compute one’s position on the earth (latitude and longitude) – Accuracy within 30 feet (Christie, 2007)

3. Definition of Terms Geocaching Geocaching – High-tech scavenger hunt for GPS users – Geo = Geography, Cache = Container – Basic Concepts Hide the cache Hide the cache Publish or provide the coordinates and other clues to other GPS users Publish or provide the coordinates and other clues to other GPS users GPS users search for the cache using the coordinates GPS users search for the cache using the coordinates After finding, the users take something, leave something, and sign the log. (Lary, 2004) After finding, the users take something, leave something, and sign the log. (Lary, 2004) – www.geocaching.com www.geocaching.com

4. Geocaching/GPS History GPS jamming removed in 2000. GPS jamming removed in 2000. David Ulmer hid treasure, published coordinates, and challenged people to find it. David Ulmer hid treasure, published coordinates, and challenged people to find it. Eager hunters found the cache and others began hiding caches and publishing coordinates. Eager hunters found the cache and others began hiding caches and publishing coordinates. Original name was “The Great American GPS Stash Hunt” but changed to Geocaching within 4 months (Schlatter & Hurd, 2005) Original name was “The Great American GPS Stash Hunt” but changed to Geocaching within 4 months (Schlatter & Hurd, 2005) Currently there are approximately 570,000 active caches in the world (www.geocaching.com) Currently there are approximately 570,000 active caches in the world (www.geocaching.com)

5. Review of Literature GPS/Geocaching GPS/Geocaching – Emerging Technology (Christie, 2007) – Lack of empirical research on impact on student achievement (Christie, 2007; Matherson et al, 2008; Shaunessy & Page, 2006) – Numerous lesson plans & classroom strategies found online – Helps to engage students in learning content – Real World Activity (Broda & Baxter, 2003)

6. Review of Literature Social Studies & Technology Social Studies & Technology – Active & engaged learning environment (Christie, 2007) – Contributes to a constructivist learning environment (Rice & Wilson, 1999) – Fosters advanced understanding of geography (Shaunessy & Page, 2006)

7. Review of Literature Middle School Students Middle School Students – Desire Change of Pace (Broda & Baxter, 2003) – Beyond the walls increases probability of increase in student achievement (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998) – Hands-on for adolescent learners at the concrete level – Inspires curiosity for higher-order thinking skills and multiple intelligences (Broda & Baxter, 2003)

8. Purpose of the Study Determine a correlation between GPS use and student achievement in a seventh-grade social studies classroom. Determine a correlation between GPS use and student achievement in a seventh-grade social studies classroom. Examine student perceptions of the GPS receiver as an instructional tool. Examine student perceptions of the GPS receiver as an instructional tool.

9. The Participants Three 7 th grade Social Studies Classes Three 7 th grade Social Studies Classes Approximately 70 participants Approximately 70 participants Convenience Sample Convenience Sample Homogenous: Randomly Placed in Classes Homogenous: Randomly Placed in Classes

10. Research Methods Control Group vs. Experimental Group Control Group vs. Experimental Group Content presented in regular classroom format by cooperating teacher (Days 1-3) Content presented in regular classroom format by cooperating teacher (Days 1-3) Pre-test given to all students to assess initial learning (Day 4) Pre-test given to all students to assess initial learning (Day 4)

11. Research Methods Experimental Group: Geocaching/GPS Review Activity (Day 5) Experimental Group: Geocaching/GPS Review Activity (Day 5) Control Group: Review Textbook Worksheets in Class (Day 5) Control Group: Review Textbook Worksheets in Class (Day 5) Post test given to determine achievement gains and effectiveness of the Geocaching/GPS activity (Day 6) Post test given to determine achievement gains and effectiveness of the Geocaching/GPS activity (Day 6)

12. Research Methods Experimental Group: Complete perceptions survey (Day 6) Experimental Group: Complete perceptions survey (Day 6) To obtain results: To obtain results: – Statistical Analysis of pre- and post-test scores of Experimental and Control Groups – Analysis of Survey Data

13. Results & Conclusion Yet to be located! Yet to be located!

14. References Broda, H., & Baxter, R. (2003, July). Using GIS ans GPS technology as an instructional tool. Social Studies, 94(4), 158- 160. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Broda, H., & Baxter, R. (2003, July). Using GIS ans GPS technology as an instructional tool. Social Studies, 94(4), 158- 160. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Christie, A. (2007). Using GPS and geocaching engages, empowers & enlightens middle school teachers and students. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 10. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://ncsu.edu/meridian/win2007/gps/index.htm Christie, A. (2007). Using GPS and geocaching engages, empowers & enlightens middle school teachers and students. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 10. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://ncsu.edu/meridian/win2007/gps/index.htm Lary, L.M. (2004). Hide and seek: GPS and geocaching in the classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 31(6), 14- 18. Lary, L.M. (2004). Hide and seek: GPS and geocaching in the classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 31(6), 14- 18. Lieberman, G. A., & Hoody, L. L. (1998). Closing the achievement gap: Using the environment as an integrating context for learning. San Diego, CA: State Education and Environment Roundtable. Lieberman, G. A., & Hoody, L. L. (1998). Closing the achievement gap: Using the environment as an integrating context for learning. San Diego, CA: State Education and Environment Roundtable.

15. References Matherson, L., Wright, V., Inman, C., & Wilson, E. (2008). Get up, get out with geocaching: Engaging technology for the social studies classroom. Manuscript submitted for publication. Matherson, L., Wright, V., Inman, C., & Wilson, E. (2008). Get up, get out with geocaching: Engaging technology for the social studies classroom. Manuscript submitted for publication. Rice, M. L., & Wilson, E. K. (1999). How technology aids constructivism in the social studies classroom. The Social Studies, 90, 28-34. Rice, M. L., & Wilson, E. K. (1999). How technology aids constructivism in the social studies classroom. The Social Studies, 90, 28-34. Schlatter, B.E. & Hurd, A.R. (2005). Geocaching: 21st century hide and seek. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance, 76 (7), 28-32. Schlatter, B.E. & Hurd, A.R. (2005). Geocaching: 21st century hide and seek. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance, 76 (7), 28-32. Shaunessy, E. & Page, C. (2006). Promoting inquiry in the gifted classroom through GPS and GIS technologies. Gifted Child Today, 29 (4), 42-53. Shaunessy, E. & Page, C. (2006). Promoting inquiry in the gifted classroom through GPS and GIS technologies. Gifted Child Today, 29 (4), 42-53.