Thing+Five

toc =Geocaching and QR Codes=

Geocaching
Geocaching is like treasure hunting using GPSr gear, or smart devices that are GPS enabled.

If you think about maths and learning about co-ordinates, or orienteering and how you maneuver around a course looking for clues then a combination of the two would be geocaching. There is an official geocaching website (@http://www.geocaching.com/) where we go to find descriptions and co-ordinates of caches hidden all over the world. Unfortunately the nearest caches to Koputaroa school are out on Highway 57! some of the caches involve clues and puzzles that then have to be solved before you can locate the co-ordinates of the cache - that adds to the fun of the game.

This is a great extension maths activity - you don't need an actual GPSr device - you can do it with a GPS enabled phone - but sometimes if you enquire in your local community you can arrange to borrow the GPSr devices for a one time use. And it's worth checking around your local schools and high schools incase there are some available for borrowing.

Several years ago I set a course up around our school on Talk Like A Pirate Day. I borrowed a second GPSr from my DP and my year 3/4 students went out in groups of 3 to locate various clues. Lots of fun to be had by all.

Geocaching links
@http://blog.geocaching.com/2011/08/geocaching-finds-its-way-to-the-classroom/

@http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=634

@http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/05/15/geocaching-in-the-classroom/

QR Codes
This video is from Allannah King's K12 Conference presentation - you can find the original post here: K12 OR code presentation

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I've just updated the QR reader for my iPhone - the I-nigma one works very quickly and accurately - and it's free (for the iPhone at least). You can create QR code quizzes at Classtools (and while you're there check out some of the other tools). You can also create QR codes at I-nigma (@http://i-nigma.com/CreateBarcodes.html and Kaywa (@http://qrcode.kaywa.com/) - both of these have a 250 character restriction but you can still write quite a bit of information in that space.

Apart from treasure hunts and quizzes you could also use QR codes to write succinct sentences and a url to link to a book review.



QR Links
@http://edte.ch/blog/2010/11/25/qr-codes-improve-web-access/

@http://edte.ch/blog/2011/03/16/giant-qr-codes-in-the-classroom/

@http://blog.core-ed.org/blog/2011/10/exploring-qr-codes-with-children.html

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