Location-based Experiences

To successfully complete Location-based Services:

READ this blog post.
DO and THINK about the information in the "Learn More About" activities.
LEARN by completing the Hands-On Activities.

Your total time commitment is about 50 minutes.

Introduction to Location-based Services
Location-based services are computer applications and sites that use the geo-location functionality of a mobile phone, smartphone or tablet to provide people with information, entertainment, or a social media service. LBS are used in many different contexts within our lives. They are available through mobile applications or built into a mobile device's hardware and software.

Many people navigate the world with location-based services. According to Pew Research Center’s Internet Project, 74% of adult smartphone owners ages 18 and older use their phone to get directions or other information, such as nearby restaurants or businesses, based on their current location.

There are both tangible and intangible rewards associated with location-based services. Many social media users have their accounts set to include their location in their posts. Pew Research Center’s Internet Project shows that 30% of adult social media users ages 18 and older currently allow their location in their posts. They tell their friends where they are and keep a record of what they do.

Other social media sites such as Foursquare allow users to “check in” wherever they go – shops, events, restaurants, hotels, airports, or even private residences. People check in to tell their friends where they are, keep a record of what they do, and often earn rewards like badges for participating or points from businesses.

While LBS offer convenience and interactivity that was not possible before, they have also raised concerns about user privacy. As LBS apps relay a user’s location data to networks, they also have the ability to build a precise and personal user profile based on the collected data. The trade-off is a high-quality user experience at the expense of one’s privacy.

Learning More about

1. Watch Location-based Service Explained (6:22 minutes)
2. Read Location-based Service at Wikipedia(10 minutes)
3. Read Location-based Services at Pew Research Internet Project (10 minutes)

Hands-on Activities (10 minutes)
Find information for the library or a business on Yelp, Foursquare, Trip Advisor or Google maps.

1. Read at least two reviews. Is the information accurate?
2. Write a review that accurately describes your experiences there.
3. For Google maps, find the "claim your business/location". Look at the process. How hard is it to claim a business? Who can do it? Why would someone claim a location?

Get credit!

After you have completed the activities in this post, please fill out this form.