The article deals with three main issues: the understanding of curriculum in context, the ability of contextualisation, and retention of knowledge in long-term memory. The paper first suggests principles based on the coherence model of instruction, which aims to achieve coherence of knowledge of isolated facts through a network of semantic relationships. Then, the theoretical basis of the model is described, including spatial learning strategies, cooperative learning, and excursions in an authentic environment supported by mobile devices. A methodology of teaching was designed according to the principles of the coherence model, and a virtual guide through educational exhibitions was developed. The virtual guide was tested with students of a primary school during an experimental lecture in the Ostrava Zoo. An evaluation of the coherence model and the virtual guide was carried out using three methods: an observation of students’ behaviour and learning during the experimental lecture, a pedagogical experiment, and an evaluation of questionnaires. The results of the evaluation proved that the coherence model of instruction has a positive impact on understanding in context, ability of contextualisation, and retention of the curriculum in long-term memory.
Geolocation services such as Geocaching, Wherigo, or Foursquare are very popular all over the world nowadays. Millions of people are involved in these games, and, in addition to the entertainment, they learn about geography and history. Geolocation games can be used very effectively in instruction as well. The article contains analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of educational games using a geolocation service Geocaching. Sometimes the concept “educaching” is used, which was created by combining the words “education” and “geocaching.”
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