Geocaching in education – a review of international experiences Part 2. Recipient, location and subject matter of education

Abstract

This article discusses the recipient, locations and subject matter of education using geocaching, based on a literature review. The aim is to aid the implementation of similar methods of education in Poland, including forest education, by providing practical information and guidelines. In the literature, the most frequently mentioned recipients of geocaching education are pupils, especially between 10–18 years of age, and university students. This is due to the fact that the authors of the publications were mostly school and academic teachers, as well as students and doctoral students of teaching and social faculties. For the same reason, the preferred locations of educational geocaching were also school/university areas and their immediate vicinity, as well as urban areas, including parks. Locations modified to a lesser degree by anthropogenic influences such as protected areas, waterfronts and forests were also mentioned. The subject range of geocaching classes is very wide, although geography, mathematics, biology, ecology, history, culture, modern technology/equipment, linguistics and physical education were particularly frequently mentioned. Subjects related to geology, local society, economy and art were also reported. Regarding recipients of educational geocaching, the literature clearly indicates limitations in its application to the youngest age groups, while at the same time its great usefulness in the education of all other age groups is highlighted. In addition to the currently dominating anthropogenic geocaching locations, Poland offers a large variety of natural places, such as forest areas, which are already used for informal field education. These locations furthermore enable multidisciplinary education, which is in line with the extremely wide range of subject content proposed for educational geocaching.