Resource: Managing a new school environment

Learning activity 1 – Finding your way to and from secondary school

This learning activity uses the Google Maps resource for students to practise using a navigation app. There are numerous navigation and route-tracking apps available that can be used for the same function, for example, Map My Run, Strava Training, Nike Run Club, Asics Runkeeper, Footpath Route Planner and Maps, and so on. While many of these apps are free to download, please note that all of them collect user data and are therefore not always appropriate for Year 6 and Year 7 students. This is why the formal activity only requires the use of the Google Maps function without logging in, so individual data is not collected. Students may negotiate with their parents and carers if they wish to use a different app.

    Classroom activity

    Introducing Google Maps – Learning activity 1 – Google Maps

    Practise using Google Maps until you are satisfied you are familiar enough with it to use it in the classroom, show examples to students, and lead them through the Google Maps classroom activity. The classroom activity asks students to find directions from their home to primary and secondary school, and to record information in a table.

    Homework activities

    There is also an option to ask students to continue the classroom activity – using Google Maps to navigate – at home with their family. The Navigating the new school environment – The journey to school Parent and carer resource is provided for this: it is similar to the classroom activity but asks students to guide their parents and carers through using the navigation tool, and to complete a ‘practise run’ of getting to school while also collecting data on the trip.

    Things to consider for the homework activity

    1. Ensure students have the necessary resources at home: they will need access to a computer/tablet/phone device with internet connectivity.
    2. Ensure students have access to the Life Ed site if they need to download further information on tasks.
    3. Print out the homework task for those who need a hard copy.
    4. Make the home task available on your school’s homework system.

    After students have completed the homework task with their family, it can be followed up in class time.

    1. How easy was it to use the app with family members?
    2. What data did you collect? How easy was it to collect data? What worked well and what didn’t?
    3. What discussion did you have with your parents and carers? Did anything in particular help you in making decisions for getting to secondary school?