A GIS is a Geographic Information System. This is a computer system that is able to store in its database a variety of information about a geographical location. One the information is stored about a particular location, it can translate this into a map format.
A Global Positioning System is a worldwide radionavigation system made possible with 24 satellites and their ground stations working together to calculate positions on earth within inches.
What we call a GPS is a combination of the mapping information with the radionavigation system.
This software is awesome in that it allows the students an opportunity to view their home, community and world in perspective as well as being able to see natural structures that impact them.
I think it is ideal to use this technology in a classroom to teach about their community in relation to their state as well as to teach student about directions and how to navigate in their world.
Geo caching is a fun way for students to learn how to utilize the equipment and basically be on a "treasure hunt".
Molly,
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly correct when you say that GPS and GIS are awesome software because they give the students the knowledge and skill about direction and how to navigate themselves in this world. It is important for them to pay attention to the different highways and access roads around them. This software helps them to do this.
I do agree with Molly in that GPS and GIS and the software that are used by both GPS and GIS can allow students an opportunity to view certain locations and learn about them. The students can view locations such as their home, community and other world locations which provide the students with a perspective as far as the world is concerned and also allows them to see locations that otherwise they would have never experienced. Geo caching is one software program that is very easy to use that can allow students to play around with geographic concepts and learn about how that can be incorporated in activities such as treasure hunts.
ReplyDeleteMolly, I third the praise. These systems allow for a more global-conscious student and a deeper awareness of the geography around them. I think it is also useful to educate students about distant geographic locations. I would use it to study history, science, english, reading....essentially the limits are boundless. The only limit is the creativity of the classroom in how to apply/use the tools.
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