World orientation with a mobile gps

Description of the activity:

Step 1: The learners take photos of their environment, preferably outside the school walls, e.g. from the wider school neighbourhood, a visit to a stand, or other excursion. Each photo is subsequently saved with its so-called “geotags” (the geographical coordinates of the specific location).

Step 2: Organise photos and geotags stored in a computer file, for example using software programs such as Flickr, Picasa or iPhoto and Google Earth. Students use satellite images or Street View/Google maps images to find out where the photo was taken.

Step 3: Geotagging makes it possible to identify the exact position of a person from a photo. People often don't realise that photos can contain this "hidden" data. Concepts such as privacy and availability of personal data can be discussed here.

Step 4: Organize a class discussion about the possibilities and (privacy) risks of such geotags.

Points of attention

- This exercise requires cell phones with a geotagging function. Not all mobile phones have this. However, recent digital cameras also have such a function.

- Using Flickr, Picasa and Google Earth requires you to download (free) software. You will find them on the download pages below:

• Flickr: http://www.flickr.com

• Picasaweb: http://picasaweb.google.com

• Google Maps and Street View: http://maps.google.be/intl/nl/help/maps/streetview/

• Google Earth download page: http://www.google.com/intl/nl/earth/index.html

• Additional information and resources http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotagging