In earlier posts I outlined a prototype module for using mobile devices as tools for teaching topographic map skills and described the experience of testing the module with a GEOG1190 class. The following is my list of some of the benefits of the project.
Geog 2290 – Advanced Geomorphology
Hello Everyone.
Mobile learning for Geography 2290 – Advanced Geomorphology – has taken a two part approach. Early in the year – Sept – , the second lab assignment for the course was a three week assignment involving two field trips, collection of stream flow data, lab analysis of two river deposits and final write up of the material. The idea for mobile learning was that information collected in the field would be shared amongst members of the class so that everyone could a) have the information, b) analyse and interpret it and c) present it in a clear concise manner. I should note that half the students went on one field trip and half on the other. I deliberately posted some of the material detailing lab techniques used to analyse the data on the class blog and only on the class blog as a way to get the students to log on and get use to this particular format. The results were not very encouraging. Only a few students – 3 out of 27 – actually logged on. Only two made a comment. It seems that those who did log on simply downloaded the information and brought it to class for themselves and the other students. Any questions pertaining to this lab assignment were simply raised in class in person. So, mobile learning was not a huge hit.
Mobile Learning Module for Geography 1190 – Results of First Trial
In an earlier post (Mobile Learning Module for Geography 1190 – Exploring Coordinate Systems Using a Mobile Device) I outlined a plan for using an iPhone app (Fugawi iMap) in a learning module designed to reinforce first year geography student’s understanding of using coordinate systems and topographic maps. Over the past two weeks I have tried using a modified version of the module in two different classes. This post describes the experience of using the module in a first year physical geography class.
Mobile Learning Module for Geography 1190 – Exploring Coordinate Systems Using a Mobile Device
The purpose of this module is help students make a connection between the coordinate systems they use on a map in the classroom and how those coordinate systems describe locations in the real world. It would supplement material that is normally taught in GEOG 1190 lab assignments #1 and #2.
To prepare for this module:
- Students will need to be familiar with how a location’s coordinates (latitude and longitude; and UTM) are determined using a map.
- Students will need to be familiar with how distances between locations are determined using a map.
- The instructor will need to identify students with GPS equipped iPhones and create small groups (3 – 5) centred on those phone owners.
- The phone owners will need to install Fugawi iMap on their phones. The app is $5.00, so we may need to consider some sort of reimbursement.