To plan where and how far I run I use www.mappedometer.com. Wherever I am I can go online, search for a map of the area, and start creating a route. Alternatively after a run I can map it out to see how far (and often where) I have been. An example route looks like this on I have made in my home town of Cairns:
The software incorporates google maps therefore you can also view your route in street view, satellite, hybrid and terrain formats. It also includes an elevation graph showing the ups and downs of the journey. Users can choose to travel on foot, by bicycle or even in a straight line for those who can fly.
A working interface therefore may look like this:
Mappodometer is an effective TPACK forum as it allows teachers to combine knowledge on just about any topic with engaging technological tools and implement pedagogy that can be scaffolded within set boundaries established by the software.
The scaffolding opportunities are many. Teachers can devise projects around maths e.g. comparing elevation and distance; literacy e.g. write a story about the places you visit on the way, history e.g. plan a walking tour of historical sites; music e.g. create busking sites on the esplanade of different styles of music with different instruments..... and the list goes on.
Student's can use the mapping and measuring features to apply knowledge thereby incorporating Blooms Taxonomy application e.g. examining two different routes to apply mathematical concepts of ratio, fractions and algebra. By creating the routes themselves they would be utilising Blooms Taxonomy synthesis. They can look at satellite versions of their routes to determine potential obstacles and then decide on which route might be the best thereby applying Blooms Taxonomy analysis and evaluation. Students can further expand their knowledge base satisfying the Blooms Taxonomy knowledge element of learning e.g. by visiting different cities.
EXAMPLE STUDENT ACTIVITY:
Compare the differences you might experience on these two 5km runs?
Decide which route you would prefer and why?
NEW YORK CITY
ALICE SPRINGS
The software allows for real-life application. Students can walk or cycle routes they have created and examine the difference between the map version and the real version. This would engage higher order thinking as prescribed in productive pedagogies. Students can work in collaboration in line with social constructivist learning theory, creating, comparing and evaluating their travel routes. They can also connect by the 'share my route' and social media linking functions and by engaging in routes created by others locally and around the world e.g. students could compare distances between their town and others globally or even map different flight routes Such activities incorporate Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory for visual and special learning and help develop students' understanding of global citizenship.
(image courtesy of www.brunel.ac.uk )
Using the navigation and mapping system students would incorporate behaviourism style learning, revisiting and building on practiced techniques. Comparing, evaluating and experimenting with routes would allow for knowledge, both declarative relating to the scaffolded topic and procedural relating to navigating the software, to enter their working and long term memories in line with congitive learning theory.
(Image from wwwkellyspace.blogspot.com)
Critics of mappedometer may say a lot of the features are available in google maps, however the important point here is the word 'features'. This tool is designed specifically for measuring, comparing and evaluating travelling routes and elevation and while you can measure distance and elevation on google maps it is a slow and journeyed process amongst hundreds of other more prevalent features on a very broad platform. The program also promotes healthy living as it encourages users to walk, run and cycle the routes they are creating.
I enjoyed working within the boundaries of this software which offers an opportunity to develop clear, concise and engaging TPACK that stays en'route' - pardon the pun. This is a great first step for students who can then move on to explore the intricate worlds of google maps and google earth.
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