Global Positioning System (GPS)

The Global Positioning System (GPS) can be a useful aid, if used properly.  GPS can provide various advantages in different setting, when used to its full extent.  Firstly, with the use of GPS you can locate different locations by getting the specific latitude and longitude coordinates and applying them to the specific location you are looking for.  Secondly, GPS can be used in your car, to get you to and from one place to another.  Personally, I find this use of GPS very useful as i have no sense of direction.  When my parents were purchasing me my first car, the only feature that I wanted my vehicle to possess was GPS.  The reason why I was so persistent in asking for GPS, was because I knew that it would make my life and my weakness in terms of sense of direction so much easier.  Since the day we purchased my Acura TL with navigation, I have gone to places where I never thought that I could go.  I have travelled to the United States and Calgary with the use of this tool.  Without it, I would have never imagined getting to any of these places, let alone Greater Vancouver.  Thirdly, GPS is useful in tracking because mobile service providers rely on the GPS to track the signal levels of the cell sites on the streets.  Fourthly, GPS is useful when used for mapping.  This is, to create accurate street maps.   Finally, with GPS you can receive accurate timing information when used by cell phones.  

GPS has been successfully used by me, as I mentioned earlier.  As a teacher I think that it would be ideal to introduce GPS to my class, as it would open up a world of opportunities for my students.  Students would not only learn what GPS is, but also the many uses of it.  These learned outcomes of GPS could then be used by them and applied to their everyday lifestyles.  Much like myself, they could begin to use GPS as a tool, to help them in geographically locating them to areas, and in directing them to specific places.  Due to the fact that we are moving away from paper maps, and towards GPS systems which are available in different modes, it would be ideal for students to both understand and use this model.  

Here are some videos on GPS that I found interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9XRXZs4gtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx0znJYQkZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bO5tw_vLOA