Treasure Hunting!
In this weeks adventure in Geocaching, technology, and education conglomeration, I have found a new app called TravelersQuest. It is a virtual treasure hunt, like geocaching, however nothing is physically at the location. you just have to go to the location on your map and it will let you "dig" it up. The tricky part is you can only see a treasure that you are close to, so you have to go out and drive and walk around (unless you pay to upgrade your map). Another interesting part of this app is that you can have a crew. So that was our geocaching portion, not the educational part is working on my sons short comings from last week in school. So once we found the treasure my wife and I made a number line out of water bottles and rocks. He then had to plot his given numbers on the number line. He is a hands on and physical learner (like his Dad) and seems to have soaked in his number line lesson a little better (If not I will make him do push ups). If he cant be smarter he will be stronger... again , like me!
Until next time you Scurvy Dogs get up and go find it!
Andy
Andy,
ReplyDeleteMy dad always told me that “if you’re gonna be dumb, you better be tough”. I like where you are going with your thread. It seems like it is doing a great job of getting you and your family out, spending time together, getting some exercise, and educating all of you on the technologies and beyond. Your adventures make me long for the times when my kids liked to hang out with me, teenagers are terrible. Getting to your technology, it seems like it does a good job of providing an incentive for the effort without giving away too much, while also providing the user with opportunities for improvisation. Great post Andy, looking forward to the next.
-Donny
Andy,
ReplyDeleteThis is the other Andy...as usual I enjoy how you are using geocaching to not only educate all who follow your blog but an avenue to get your family out and about using said technology. It kind of makes me think of Indiana Jones adventures but with the family and no worries about nazi's or indigenous people attempting to take your heart out with their bare hands or shrink your skull...but in El Paso you have to worry about snakes and insects...I don't think you have to worry about runaway boulders though...I think (80's kid). Looking forward in reading your next adventure.
v/r
Andy E.
Andy,
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't have a 10 month-old, I would be up for this "treasure hunt" and it sounds really fun. I think when the weather is a little cooler, we might just go out for it with the kid and all. Maybe even tag along with you guys on your next adventure. Until then, stay at it and keep us posted.
Andy,
ReplyDeleteThat seems fun. I was thinking about it and it would be even cool if once you got to the location the app used augmented reality to show treasure. I have been playing around with the JigSpace app and it seems like combining the two could be done. I am headed to Maryland this week and when we get there we will definitely check this out and report back how we applied it for educational purposes.
Mike W.
Andy,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the information in your post this week. This kind of application sounds interactive and fun for the user. I am always about finding innovative ways to do things that gets our obese and lazy population off the couch and into the environment. The ability to do it in a “crew” or group even increases the chances that people will not only get physical, but socially interact with each other. I love the passion for fitness in the family as that hits home for me. I am a fitness nut and might even try this application out myself. I might try to upgrade it and see if it is worth the money. Thanks for the great post!
Kevin
Andy,
ReplyDeleteAlways looking forward to the next adventure. You may have been a lifesaver with this. So, my daughter is coming up on a birthday and she asked to go on a hike in the mountains. This would be a great addition to our hike. This will definitely add to her experience and the way you added the counting and plotting piece. I will also be incorporating a little section of land navigation with a lensatic compass. I love tech, but you also have to learn the manual method.
I will definitely be trying this out, and make sure to download it prior to departure just in case there is no cell coverage in certain areas.
As always thanks for sharing!
Walt
Andy,
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a great idea to have some great family time. I like the combination of both being virtual and physically going to locations with the family if one chooses to do so. I am amazed on how technology keeps getting entertained with the new ideas they come up with beats the days of a compass and map to have fun. I will surely try it out sometime to see how it goes. Thanks for sharing
Alex
Andy,
ReplyDeleteThis technology is interesting. I enjoy reading about how you have leveraged this technology to go on adventures with your family. I think this is a great way to not only get out of the house as a family but have fun and learn while doing it. These ideas are exactly the kind of ideas we need in the face of challenges that Covid19 has brought to society. It is important for us to get outside, be active, and be creative. You have done just that by using this technology. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to your next post.
Anthony