Put yourself in the mind of a student in my high school Spanish class. Which of these options is more appealing? 1) Stay inside and conjugate verbs all day with worksheets. 2) Go on a treasure hunt!
Obviously, Choice 2 is the correct answer. After all, who hasn't dreamed of jumping on the pirate ship and following the tattered map to the big red X? My high school is located in a small city where the most exciting thing to do on a Friday night for students is hang out at the mall. It is very easy to become bored here; so, an exciting, motivational aid that brings out the adventuresome side in my students will prove valuable.
I learned about the adventure hobby of geocaching two years ago through a family member. Geocaching is most simply described as a treasure hunt for the 21st century. The only materials involved are a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS), of which I am requesting 3, and water-tight containers. Basically, someone hides a container in the woods and marks its coordinates with the GPS. Then, using that latitude and longitude, other people go find it!
I told a friend and fellow educator in another district about geocaching, who immediately began thinking about all of the educational opportunities. She has received $1,500 in grant money, with which she started her school’s geocaching club. It has attracted a lot of positive attention from the community. She has been invited several times to make presentations at state-wide events about the benefits of geocaching. Her efforts played heavily in her becoming her school's Teacher of the Year.
Having seen first-hand the benefits that geocaching brings to students, I feel certain that using GPS devices in my class will motivate students to learn more, and will renew a sense of excitement in them about education. I plan to use geocaching as a stimulus in reviewing the Spanish material. Students will have a physical goal to reach by figuring out the answers. Students will be able to make interdisciplinary connections as they learn about geography through the use of latitude and longitude. It will also allow students to get outside and reconnect with the natural world around them.
I thank you generously in advance, and I have no doubts that, when you allow them this exciting possibility to learn through geocaching, the students will cry out a resounding "¡Gracias!"
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