GarminGPS72

=[|What] is [|GPS], [|GIS], and all this Geographic stuff? [|How does it work?]=

Wikipedia has a great introduction to [|The Global Positioning System]. Notice that it is made up of 3 parts: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment.

The particular GPS navigation system model that we have is the [|Garmin GPS 72] The [|"Quick Start"] guides you through a simulation (the actual ability to access the satellites will be turned off) that will introduce you to the features of the GPS 72.

What is a [|Geographic Information System (GIS)] and what can I do with it (and why would I want to do anything with it)?

What are some[| GIS software programs]?

=So what does this have to do with my classes and what I teach and for my students?=

Ahhhh. So [|Google Earth] is a GIS software and it's free. There is [|a LOT you can do with that in your classroom and there are lots of resources to help teachers in using Google Earth in the classroom.]

[|My World GIS] software is on the MLTI image. It gives the user more control than Google Earth. It's designed specifically for education and offers many [|activity ideas] for teachers. "[|Literature Trips]" are a great way to use Google Earth in literature and reading classes K-12.

[|Community Walk] allows you to build your own simple walking tour maps or other interactive maps. This works well if you don't have a GPS device (it works if you do have one, too) or if you want to work with traditional maps more directly, this is a good site.

Check out the [|Maine Trail Finder]. This website is a fabulous demonstration of what can happen with a good combination of Geographic Information (both GPS and GIS) and database query tools.

What is [|Geocaching]?

Bring in language arts, local history, tourism, etc. with [|Questing].