Tag Archives: geo-pals

The ‘world in your pocket’ is how the advertising usually goes. With mobile devices now being able to offer better connectivity, we are always connected to the world, wherever we may be. But just how literal that saying becomes is apparent when we look at the ways in which mobile learning can be used in the subject of geography.

Geo Mobile Apps
Applications like Google Earth on mobile devices, enable users to visualize and understand land formations, land use, map location details and directional information. GPS apps help students know where they are and understand concepts like latitude and longitude in a spatial environment. With these apps available to view anytime and anywhere, geographical studies become a personal exploration, making it more interactive and exciting.

Global Social Networking
With the internet access on us at anytime, we can reach anyone across the globe easily.  So if you want to learn or teach a subject like the Great Barrier Reef, how about getting in touch with students of the same age living in Australia? Social networking can be leveraged to learn about geography from a first-hand perspective. Have students make “geo-pals” in a particular country and exchange images and local information.

Geography Websites
Use sites like Wikipedia Mobile to get updated information, and the National Geographic to travel down the Amazon and watch expedition videos. Access maps, flags and news from around the world in real-time.

Personal Exploration
Field trips, once considered essential for learning geography, can now be easily incorporated into lessons. With compasses, audio & video recording, students can become “expert explorers” documenting their expedition and recognizing flora and fauna by referencing the net.

Today’s generation of touchscreen devices are geared towards spatial usage and personal interaction, and their application in education is enabling students to learn more intuitively, as they explore, feel, touch and play.

Geography in particular, is one subject where mobile devices can help make learning comprensive, through interactive experience and visualization.