GPS Tracking Technology Used To Keep Kids In School

Who would have thought school truancy would play a part in the high tech world of gadgets? The Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD), that's who. Faced with a dropout rate ranking them seventh among large school districts, according to America's Promise Alliance, and a truancy rate of 15%, the school was not only losing students but also the funds connected with school attendance. It was clear they needed something to stem the leakage. The solution fell into the lap of Bryan Adams High School which is currently using GPS tracking devices in a pilot program to retain their student population.

The GPS tracking devices worn by students are similar to those used by law enforcement keeping tabs on individuals under house arrest, rather than a simpler less obvious GPS tracking watch. Six students, out of the 300 sent to truancy court, from Bryan Adams were chosen to participate in the program. The price tag for the digital age truancy program? $26,000. The investment covers a case worker whose duties include tracking the students, assisting them in their daily activities, as well as providing assistance to families.

The program is proving more cost effective for the state compared to the alternative of detaining repeat truancy offenders in a juvenile detention facility. The program also benefits students by providing a measure of structure, which will translate to a greater ability to become a functioning member of society — like showing up for work on time. This structure is priceless for many of the students enrolled in the program because it is hard for them to create this structure otherwise.

Other than making students show up for class and train for adulthood, the GPS program for truant students hits more personal issues. Most truant students are dealing with more than just running late for class. Issues facing the majority of truant students run the gamut from drugs or alcohol, gang involvement, issues in their family life, or any mix of the above. In the past year, the GPS system helped find a student in the pilot program on the verge of a drug overdose. The program also led case workers to a student that had ditched school and was contemplating suicide. In both situations, a GPS tracking device helped case workers find and assist these students.

Sounds like a great system? Not everyone thinks so. One Texas law maker, as summarized in the New York Times, dislikes the idea since “ankle cuffs used in an earlier version were reminiscent of slave chains.” No one wants to make these students out to be slaves, just to help them. The comment could stem off of the fact that the majority of Bryan Adams High School is non-Caucasian. The high school's representation includes 53% Hispanic American, 32% African American, in addition 62% of the student population is grouped as economically disadvantaged.

In any case it seems Dallas ISD and Bryan Adams High school are trying to do a good thing. They're just using the greatest and latest technology to do so. Who doesn't want help students maintain attendance, graduate high school, and attain prime jobs? Of course, the utilization of GPS technology in improving the systems in place, such as student truancy, needs to be further tested in a variety of situations if we are to fully develop and utilize this powerful technology.


Joe teaches people about GPS tracking watches and about how to get kids to use their GPS kids devices.
http://www.gpsfortoday.com

Have Fun, Be Safe with GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was created by the US Department of Defense to answer the second most important question an army has: "Where are we?" (The most important question being: "Where's the chow line?")

Today, GPS satellites constantly send signals ground-ward; these signals are picked up by GPS receivers, which calculate position. It didn't take long for police and fire departments, construction crews and other civilian operations to see the value of GPS.

For consumers, the industry needed to refine GPS tracking system into user-friendly, consumer electronics. For example, it does little good to know you're at 40 degrees 33 minutes 24 seconds north 118 degrees 48 minutes 36 seconds west, unless you already know that's where Overstock.com is located and you're trying to parachute onto the office roof. So, manufacturers added street by street visual directions.

The Global Position System has three sectors:

Satellites
Twenty-four active plus five standby satellites orbit the Earth twice each day. At least four should be 'visible' to the ground at all times, allowing GPS tracking system users to precisely determine latitude, longitude and altitude.

Command and control system
Currently under the direction of the Air Force Space Command, certain areas are managed by other agencies, such as the Coast Guard Navigation Center (for maritime issues).

GPS receivers
GPS units are receive-only electronics; they do not transmit data or interact with other sectors of the system. This allows an unlimited number of simultaneous users. In other words, this may be the only operation of the US government that is available 24/7 and will never put you on hold!

Consider its use before buying a GPS unit:

Car GPS
Probably the most popular application, all car GPS units include street maps; high-end models offer turn-by-turn voice instructions. Frills include touch screen operation, cell phone connectivity, video games, radio, CD or DVD players and computer links to receive software updates.

Cell phone GPS
Mandated in the aftermath of September 11th, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) required cell service providers to make GPS tracking of cell phone calls possible. All phones made since 2005 are GPS-trackable. Cell phones including handheld GPS receivers are also available, but may not operate properly if you are outside your cell providers' service area.

Recreational GPS
Wrist, armband and handheld GPS units are especially good for hikers and bikers.

Marine GPS
Marine GPS is, of course, waterproof (most electronics don't react well to water!) and they float--not a feature you actually want to use, but most welcome should extreme circumstances arise. Ocean maps are notoriously dull to read, but shoreline maps and features like tide tables and fish-finders can be very useful. Marine GPS tracking is especially valuable when entering or exiting crowded harbors.

GPS accessories and add-ons enhance their use:

Maps
GPS units have factory installed street maps of the United States. World travelers can purchase additional GPS system maps of Canada and other areas.

Data storage
GPS users can store even more if the device supports removable memory cards like those commonly used for digital cameras.

Combo packs
For most people, GPS receivers work great on their own. For the serious user/traveler, portable GPS devices are available with personal digital assistants (PDAs) and two-way radios built in. As noted, car GPS units can also include entertainment or media extras.

GPS holders
These attach to the car dashboard or console so your handheld GPS doesn't have to be handheld while driving.

GPS antennas
These amplify GPS signals and are especially useful in urban areas where there is more chance of interference from terrestrial sources.

GPS chargers
Obviously, a handheld GPS must be recharged; at home and car adapters are available.

Some GPS terminology:

Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System
Commercial GPS receivers are almost always on target to within about 50 feet, but many users see accuracy to within 30 feet. NDGPS is a joint Transportation-Commerce-Homeland Security program using fixed, land-based reference stations. When near an NDGPS marker, GPS accuracy may increase to less than 10 feet.

Geocaching
Geocaching (pronounced /GE-oh-CASH-ing/) is a new and exciting game gaining popularity every year--a sport that exercises the mind and body. Simply put, it's GPS hide-n-seek; gamers place objects ranging in size from a 35-mm film can to a military ammo box in plain sight. The locations (latitude and longitude) are logged onto web sites. Players use their GPS units to locate the caches or 'waypoints'. It's a whole lot harder than it sounds. Waypoints can be disguised as plants or rocks and getting within 30 feet still leaves a lot of ground to cover. Some waypoints are pick-n-place, meaning they have prizes inside; when you find one, trade a trinket you bring for a trinket you find.

Benchmarks
One early means of determining locations was small metal markers placed by the Commerce Department's National Geodetic Survey (NGS). These are still in place and are found all over the US on street corners, mountain tops, in parks and other obvious and not so obvious places. All benchmark locations are logged and available from the NGS. They can be a quick test to see if your GPS unit is working properly or for geocaching.

Question--can the government really track me through my cell phone?

Not only the government, GPS tracking via cell phone is a commercial service available for parents (to keep tabs on their children), business owners (to track delivery vans and employees) and others (even pet owners can hook a GPS receiver to their pets, in case Rover lives up to his name). Safety, quality of service and fraud prevention have been recognized by courts as legitimate use of GPS tracking systems for surveillance by non-government entities.

GPS tracking abuse and misuse are inevitable, but that's true of every modern convenience--for the positives of GPS, there are also a few negatives. However, the day your son, daughter or $100,000 load of someone else's property goes missing, you definitely won't be screaming "Invasion of privacy!" at the FCC.

Caring for GPS units:

Dust, heat, humidity and impact damage are primary causes of failure. Don't drop your GPS unit, not even onto something soft like water--especially not onto something soft like water!

Wipe it down with a clean cloth before you put it away and, if your GPS receiver has openings like a data card slot or battery compartment, blow those clean with canned air--never your humid breath.

If you own a car GPS system, mount it out of direct sunlight. Even on cool days, the dashboard can get dangerously hot for electronics and excessive exposure to the sun's radiation can damage the memory--yes, sunburn can be terminal for a GPS terminal.

Like all modern consumer electronics, a GPS receiver has few moving parts to break, so it can provide years of valuable service (and a whole lot of fun!) if not abused. Enjoy!

For more information:

Locate a benchmark with the National Goedetic Survey (http://geodesy.noaa.gov).

Visit the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt website (http://www.geocaching.com).

Phoenix Roberts has been a journalist, freelance writer and desktop publisher for over 10 years. Presently, he is an SEO Content Writer for Internet discount retailer Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com).
©2008 Overstock.com; all rights reserved.

GPS Device Buying Guide

Weekend warriors everywhere are stomping into local gear shops to cash in on the newest craze – GPS devices. After all, what’s better than merging your love of electronics with your love of the great outdoors? But do you need a pricey GPS that answers all your questions before you can formulate them, or is a workhorse GPS device that delivers standard info in a practical format better for you?
Our assessment checklist will help you sort your needs from your wants and find the right GPS device to suit your lifestyle.

Ease of use – GPS devices rarely require more than a quick study of the user’s manual. But talk to your friends and search out reviews online for which devices suit uber-techies and which ones work for trekkers with limited electronic know-how.

“Talk or read? – Some GPS devices come with voice software and touch-screens, but each feature usually indicates a price increase”
Talk or read? – Some GPS devices come with voice software and touch-screens, but each feature usually indicates a price increase.
Assess your needs – Car navigator devices differ from hand held units designed for outdoor adventures. If you plan to take yours on limited access highways, you’ll have little need for a unit that lists all the Taco Bells from Fort Worth to Albuquerque.
Verify compatibility – If your PC operates on outdated software, verify your new GPS software is compatible
Keep it simple – Many devices come with a lot of functions the average user doesn’t need. Make sure the unit you choose lives up to your expectations.
Plan your backup – Buy extra batteries and a charger. If you plan to hit the trails with your unit, make sure you bring both sets of batteries fully charged.
Forget the integrated compass – Some GPS devices come with electronic compasses but you should never rely on batteries to help you find north.
Map it out – Consider where you’ll adventure with your unit and if you’ll need additional mapping software. Some GPS devices come with removable memory cards so you can load more than one map for each trip.
Color your world – Color screens are pricier than black and white, but if you’re venturing through forests, cliffs and streams color can make navigation easier – and safer.


James W. Coates, an avid traveler and resident national park expert at Nomadik.com uses one GPS device for his commute and one for his forays into the wilderness. Check out his blog and share your own GPS device adventures.