Project 4: Next Steps for My Learning

7. Next Steps for My Learning: Geocaching in Education

Next Steps for My Learning would be to inquire more about the educational aspects of Geocache. Perhaps purchase a book with more information.

In my initial exploration of the topic, I discovered that Geocaching can be easily used in education, by placing different types of geocaches on various locations on campus or nearby student hangout locations. An example of how it can be used is through multi-step puzzles to teach math, such as Mr. Reye's GEO-metry Caching. There is even a guidebook for teachers with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) based teaching lessons (Bonilla, 2016). Educating and STEM  explains the ways that Educating curriculum delivers support to students' learning processes (Educaching, 2016).

According to Educaching's website, Educaching Curriculum delivers support by (Educaching, 2016): 

• Increasing students' early exposure to real-world mathematics and geospatial science
• Providing a comprehensive, easy-to-use STEM resource to instructors with professional development built-in
• Helping transform the traditional classroom into an inquiry-based, exploratory learning environment that is student-centered, teacher-facilitated
• Allowing for discovery of content and an engagement with problem solving, applying critical thinking skills
• Providing for critical thinking in a time-sensitive framework, preparing students for STEM career opportunities
• Offering STEM learning opportunities beyond the school day when used as afterschool or summer program

Educaching's website also offered a few ideas of some good hiding spots (Educaching, 2016): 

• Trees – especially in the knots, holes, or forks where branches spread out, but do not make them climb for it.
• Shrubs – at the base or nearby...maybe you can use a little mulch to help camouflage something at the base of a shrub
• Buildings – Anywhere along the perimeter of your school building would be an appropriate place. Landmarks – School signs, playgrounds, flagpoles or other “significant” spots on your school campus

I would also like to learn more about how to make cache puzzles. 

Html Cache puzzles, as on www.cachegeek.com, would add an opportunity to use this project for online courses. 

For example: Create a webpage with embedded html code. To view the source code for the cache page using Firefox, they would: Select View --> Page Source. The code would appear and the message would be revealed. 

There are also encoders that can be used to encrypt your messages on your caches such as: cryptogram solver and one that converts binary to text (The Allen Cachers, 2016).