#NSTA 2011 - GeoTagging [ #NSTA11 ]

We will hold two open workshops on Saturday, March 12 at 8:00AM and 4:00PM in Moscone room 304.  This 90 minute session will be lead by Tom Baker & Joseph Kerski (Esri) with Roger Palmer (GISetc).  All registered NSTA attendees are welcome


Select software used in demos:

• Microsoft ProPhoto Tools 2 (free)
• Esri ArcGIS Explorer desktop (free)

Data used in demos:

• ISTE2010_GeoTag.zip [186 Kb]

GeoTech 2011 - GeoTagging and More in Dallas, TX

Bishop Dunne GeoTech Conference, March 3-5, 2011


GeoTech is the superb gathering of educators in Dallas, TX during the first week of March.  This year, the conference will include a GeoTagging workshop Thursday afternoon, presented  by Tom Baker &  Roger Palmer.  


Required software

• Microsoft ProPhoto Tools 2 (free)
• Esri ArcGIS Explorer desktop (free)

Required data

• ISTE2010_GeoTag.zip [186 Kb]

Be sure to see the Mobile and Web GIS tools for the classroom  presentation on Friday!

Finding Needles in Haystacks: Learning from patterns in GPS data

Finding Needles in Haystacks: Learning from patterns in GPS data
by Roger Palmer, GISetc & Tom Baker, Esri
at TCEA 2011 in Austin, TX

GPS gets your students out into local environments and interacting with the world. See how simple it is to integrate geocaching, EarthCaching, and data collection into your classroom.

Download the Session Presentation [PDF]. 

Resources for #NCGE GeoTagging Workshop (Thurs, 8am)

Resources for NCGE workshop:

 Download data pack [download 200K zip file] 

Agenda:

• What is GeoTagging?
• GeoTagging in Education blog (http://geotaggingineducation.blogspot.com)
• GeoImgr.com - "one-off geotagging" (sample picture here)
• GPS units, data loggers, and GPS-enabled cameras
• ArcGIS Explorer Online ("quasi-geotagging", example "Esri Conference Video Map")
• Microsoft Pro Photo Tools (PC-only) [download]
• ArcGIS Explorer (add-in: Image Geotagger)

GeoTagging Media Webinar Recording Now Available (#ncge)

NCGE Webinar Series – GeoTagging Media

Duration:             00:49:49

URL for Viewing:              http://esri.acrobat.com/p76481044/

Summary:           NCGE Webinar Series - GeoTagging

Language:           English

Uploaded on:    09/14/2010 10:50 AM

Presenter:          Dr. Tom Baker, Esri Education Manager & NCGE Executive Planning Board

For information about other NCGE webinars to join NCGE, visit http://www.ncge.org

GeoTagging Resources for #ISTE10

Below you will find the sample data pack for the noon BYOL GeoTagging workshop at ISTE '10.

Updated: Download data pack [200K zip file]

Download Google Picasa [Windows | Mac | Linux]

Other resources  referenced:

• http://geoimgr.com
• Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2 (Windows-only)
• GPSPhotoLinker (Mac-only)
• ArcGIS Explorer (Windows-only)

The GeoTagging presentation (PDF) is also available for viewing or downloading.

GIS for Geocaching

If you geocache with students or youth group members, take a look at a new one-page flier "7 Ways To Use GIS for Geocaching".  A GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a powerful digital mapping tool that for the geocacher can allow for the exploration or discovery of new caches.  For those managing a geocaching course or even just a large number of caches, a GIS can also help.

For students and youth, a GIS like ArcGIS Explorer desktop can be used to create a multimedia maps that serves as a "report out" the geocaching adventure.

If you have suggestions for enhancing the flier, please let us know.

•   View or download the flier

As an aside, If you need a set of GPS receivers to use for a school or club project, consider the GSA's GPS loaner program operated by GISetc.   The loaners are free but shipping and insurance must be covered.

Camera + GPS (built-in) = GeoTagged Images

In December 2008, I purchased a Nikon (Coolpix) P6000 - a consumer point-and-shoot camera with a built-in GPS.  I finally decided to part with my $500 as I was preparing for a trip to Africa and didn't want to lug around a camera AND a GPS and bother with hoping I could link photo and location later.

A great little camera, this 13MP camera has a zoom lens, video capacity, and several preset and user-set modes for shooting.  If you plan for field studies with your students and you have the budget, I'd highly recommend you take a look at this camera, still available in most camera shops that carry Nikon gear (or Amazon). The photo below was taken with the P6000 and geotagged as I took the photo!

My cautionary notes:

• The GPS eats the barrery - fast.  Bring a second battery along for a day long outing ith kids.
• On my camera, the automatic lens shield has trouble fully opening and fully closing on occassion, particularly when the air is very humid (tropical).
• The P6000 isn't the most rugued camera with built-in GPS.  Be careful!  Consider the Ricoh 500SE, if you need a ruggedized camera or one that is "GIS friendly".

Lastly, recently Samsung has also released a GPS-enabled 12.2MP camera.  Although I haven't used it, it may be right for you and your students.  It's half the price of the Nikon!

Geocaching with an iPhone

Do you or your students carry iPhones or iTouches? Probably, since the word on the street is that 25% or more of the country's middle school kids carry one. If you are an avid geocacher, or still a muggle but interested in learning, read on to learn about this fun, outdoor activity!

Geocaching is a high-tech scavenger hunt that uses coordinates to navigate to a hidden treasure, or geocache. Before iPhones, a geocacher needed to purchase a GPS receiver in order to geocache. Now, you can download one of many apps to your iPhone and go on your first hunt. There area couple geocaching apps out there, but I like the Geocaching App from Groundspeak. The app does cost a few dollars, but it's a lot less than buying an expensive GPS. Once you have downloaded the app and registered on geocaching.com for your free membership, you are ready to go!

The app itself is self-explanatory. In order to find nearby caches, you will have to allow it to use your current location. This is how I find most of my caches--I just go to a park and tell my app to "Find Nearby Geocaches" and up comes a list of all the caches, from the closest on out.

You will then choose from the list which geocache you want to find, and a page with all the "specs" for that cache will come up. It will tell you how far the cache is, and give a description and hints to finding the cache. When you are ready to find your treasure, just hit "Navigate to Cache" and a map like the one below will come up.

The balloon is the cache while the blue dot is you and the line of arrows is the path you will take to find the cache. If you hit the road button underneath the "View Compass" button, you can choose the type of map you prefer to use.

This app is nice because it connects directly to the geocaching.com website, meaning you will have access to thousands of caches all over the world. You can add specific caches to your favorites list, make field notes while caching, and look up a hint if you are having trouble finding a cache. There's even a compass setting to help you get your bearings if you are caching in an unfamiliar place. All in all, a very useful tool for a very fun activity. Happy Geocaching!!