摘要：We all have them and they are omnipresent in our everyday lives: smartphones and a wide
range of applications. Apart from communication and information these powerful devices
provide enormous resources for learning in and about our local and global environment.
Integrating GPS tools they even link information with spatial patterns and allow us to analyze
and understand relations and locations in the context of spaces and places. In this context
augmented reality is supposed to be highly effective to enhance the development of various
geographical competences. Based on best practice examples developed at Freiburg University
of Education we have initiated some empirical research projects to learn how effective the
implementation of Smartphones in the teaching and learning process is and how to improve
the tools. The paper presents a deeper insight into the use of smartphone applications for
education and two case studies: 1. QR-code based learning environments developed together
with students and professional media designers. This study provides insights into some
preliminary empirical findings evaluating the applications in the context of Geography
learning and 2. Students create their own apps. These apps do not focus on school and
university students only. The applications promote Geography in the wider context for
different target groups like refugees, children or seniors in the sense of Service Learning.
