E-Learning in Physical Education

http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/bitstream/10150/554240/1/E-Learning+in+Physical+Education.docx

"To many physical education teachers e-learning courses and sport are opposites that can never be integrated together" (Sipe.) This is what I thought as well before reading this article. For the "normal" grade school student, there is a true importance for a student to physically be in the P.E. classroom. But what about students who don't fit the mold? For students who are overweight, who are intimidated by face-to face fitness classes, or students who are home schooled, an online physical education classroom can be beneficial. Changing the physical education experience to an online format can be challenging but possible.

With online learning there are both advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages are students can work at their own pace, coursework can be completed from anywhere, students can review material that is unclear to them, and students can work at times that works for them. Some disadvantages to online P.E are there is little research to support online learning in physical education and there are accountability issues in terms of learning, performance, and physical activity logs.

This article suggests a list of prerequisites before allowing a student to complete a online physical education course. These include, a basic navigation of the internet test, passing a fitness test, and an initial meeting with the parents.

Physical education is ever changing subject and will continue to change and adapt. The question of, is online P.E. as effective as normal P.E? That is current unknown. Much more work needs to be done in order to provide concrete answers.

I agree with this article. I do believe there are certain circumstances in where physical education can be taught online but I do not believe that this option should be open to all students. Physical education is so much more than videos, worksheets and running here and there. One main component of P.E is the affective domain. Students learn how to take turns, show good sportsmanship, experience wins and losses, teamwork, and so much more. That is a difficult task to teach online. Along with the variety of different sports and activities one gets to try. In P.E. we are striving for lifelong movers and I'm not sure if that can happen with an online course.

Intergrating Technology and PE through blogs and Web 2.0

Kaluf, K. J. (2012). integrate technology and physical education through blogs and Web 2.0. Children's Technology & Engineering, 16(3), 8-9.

Blogs are not a new concept in our ever-changing technology world but a newer concept to physical education. Within the article, it explains how one physical education teacher, Jerrod Robinson, integrates technology and the use of blogs in his classroom. Jerrod Robinson started a blog called, "The PE Geek." This blog is frequently updated and interactive for his viewers. The blog first started as a way for other physical education teachers to interact, discuss new technology in their classrooms, and to provide resources for each other. By the use of this blog, teachers also found that they built professional relationships with not only the author but with teachers worldwide. Robinson also found different ways to use his blog in the classroom with his students. For example, with the use of a technology tool on his blog he created a SMS mailing list. This mailing list was connected to his students phones and would text message his students a small concept, up to 160 characters, with the purpose creating further depth in a future discussion in class. The small message would often have a question attached where students would simply just text back a response. 

To be honest, I never really thought a blog and P.E went hand in hand. After reading this article, I know think that this is a great idea. I love the idea of the "mailing list." Students are constantly on their phones, which means that I know they will look at a text message and respond a lot sooner and more often if it is already right in their hands. One way I could use the mailing list is by sending my students a short video of how to pickle ball scoring works the night before the lesson. Students could watch the video and re-watch it if he or she is confused. This then regenerates questions and understanding of scoring before it is even introduced. I think this would be a great tool to use in the classroom. 

I have also used "The PE Geek" before as a resource. I guess I didn't fully understanding that it was a blog. I love that author is a PE teacher and other PE teachers make comments about how certain activities went in their class; the good, the bad and the ugly. I find this resource is a great tool for improving and utilizing technology in specifically a physical education setting. 

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Article Review: Current Technology Trends and Issues Among Health and Physical Education Professionals

Krause, J. M., Franks, H., & Lynch, B. (2017). Current Technology Trends and Issues Among Health and Physical Education Professionals. Physical Educator, 74(1), 164-180.

It is important that educators are knowledgeable, up to date, and resourceful when it comes to incorporating technology into his or her classroom. This also includes keeping up with current trends and issues in the health and physical education setting. It's one thing that schools and teachers have technology available to them but it's crucial that not only teachers but students have training with this new technology. Often times, technology is under utilized because that training is not present and/or trends are not adapted. Network sharing is also a great resource for physical educators. One organization, SHAPE America, offered another kind of PD using an online forum. This forum was open for PE/health professionals who shared ideas, suggestions, lesson plans, or issues within their content. These threads often included new technology used in their classrooms; what worked well, what changes could be made, etc. 

I believe the idea of an online forum is a great idea and resource. This doesn't necessary have to be used only for PE/Health but in all contents. I often look for ideas and resources on Pinterest but that isn't always the best due to the fact that anyone can post on Pinterest. This same kind of idea has tried to be created on Twitter but it's not the same. I also think that I would get more out of this online forum than I do on most PD days at my school. For example, on our last PD day we had sessions that you could choose from but nothing was tailored for physical education. We often find this problem. If we could have a PD day where our department sat down and really looked at this online forum, I'm certain I would learn more of technology from just exploring as a team. We could them sit down and try out some of these new apps, etc. I often struggle including technology into my class due to some obstacles but I would feel more comfortable trying to implement these new technologies if I knew another PE teacher had success with it. 

Article Review: Using Internet Assessment Tools for Health and Physical Education Instruction

Thornburg, R., & Hill, K. (2004). Using Internet Assessment Tools for Health and Physical Education Instruction. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 48(6), 53-70.

WIthin the physical education world, including technology into the classroom is a touchy subject. Some educators believe that technology is the worst thing to happen to physical education while others have truly embraced  technology and have included it into their PE class. Many teachers have implemented technology to enhance lessons in their class but the real question, is the use of technology in a lesson more effective in learning or is it just "cool" tool? 

A small study was conducted with 27 middle school students from one school.The assignment involved each student to work on his or her own device and complete a diet analysis using a web based interactive tool. Students completed a survey at the end of the lesson, discussing how they felt about the lesson, if he or she liked/felt more engaged in the activity due to technology, etc. 80% of students enjoyed a technology based lesson vs. the "old fashion" way. 63% of students stated that they want to research more about their diet due to this activity.

Even though this article is a bit old, I thought it was interesting that there was actually some data attached to this experiment. Many believe that including technology into the classroom is the right answer but there isn't a lot of data to back it up. Technology can help engage students and create excitement in the classroom but do students learn more or better with the use of technology? I do believe that technology has made our students deeper thinking. Students want to know more, learn more, dig deeper into the subject simply due to the fact that technology was included. That's what we want for our students! Technology doesn't need to be included in physical education everyday and I don't think it should ever be used daily but I think it's a great tool for deeper learning. 

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Article Review: Physical Education and Technology

McLaughlin, C. (2012). physical education and technology. Children's Technology & Engineering, 16(3), 2.

Today, technology is evolving and changing everyday. The problem is that most technology is indoors and creates sedentary children. This is the complete opposite that physical educators believe in. The struggle is the push for technology within our schools and the sedentary actions of our students. Technology is suppose to help our students, but in reality is it harming them? Luckily, some physical educators have taken this challenge and embraced it to them best of their abilities. Some of these things include, tracking runs using a GPS system along with pace training, diet logs, and the use of apps. Using technology in the physical education setting, can also motivate students to perform the best of their abilities which is the overall goal of a physical educator. Another issue that PE teachers are facing is including other disciplines within their classroom with technology, such as using STEM. 

I fully agree with this issue within physical education. Our schools are throwing all this technology at us expecting us to use this technology 24/7 but teachers aren't fully aware of all the technology available for their discipline, As far as physical education, is it extremely hard to use technology aka laptops in an active classroom where students are running around, bouncing balls, etc. This now becomes a safety issue for our laptops and our students. I do believe that including some technology in our classroom is great but needing to include it, isn't necessary. 

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Article Review: Technology is paving the path to the "New PE"

Technology is paving the path to the "New PE". (2010). District Administration, 46(1), 2-3.

Traditional physical education is centered around only organized sports and athletes are put on a pedestal. But what is this teaching our students? Physical education is changing to becoming more lifestyle education based on teaching young people how to take care of their health. This doesn't mean that sports are going to be taken out of the curriculum but that individual health maintenance will be highlighted. Where did this come from? Today, one of the biggest epidemic problems in the US is childhood obesity. A main concern is that children don't have the tools and knowledge to know how not to become this way; what it takes to actually be physically fit. Another concern is that all students don't enjoy playing sports. If these students relate physical activity to only sports, this creates a group of non-movers. 

The "New PE" is driven by the technology. One of the biggest contributors is the heart rate monitor. Each individual student is given a heart rate monitor to use for the period. The goal of the heart rate monitors is for the each student to exercise within their given target heart rate. Students with different body weights and ages will have different target heart rate zones. This holds students responsible for their performance in PE. Along with actually using the heart rate monitors, this opens a door to explain multiple fitness principles. These might include aerobic vs. anaerobic, anatomy of the heart and how to strengthen it, and what great effects exercise has on my body. 

I think this is a great idea! In my middle school, we use heart rate monitors for three weeks and I always thought it was a great learning experience but I didn't think about those students who don't enjoy sports. I think it is very important to include health-related components in physical education. Due to the fact that I have always enjoyed sports and I trained for many hours, I didn't realize how some many not know ways to stay fit. This may be a leading factor to childhood obesity. I will definitely keep these students in mind when creating future lesson plans and how I can adapt current ones to suit the needs of all my students.  

Article Review: Fitness Apps: Motivating Students to Move

Martin, M. R., Melnyk, J., & Zimmerman, R. (2015). Fitness Apps: Motivating Students to Move. JOPERD: The Journal Of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 86(6), 50-54. doi:10.1080/07303084.2015.1054214

In today's day in age, getting kids to move can be a challenge. Children are exposed to so many new things that, playing baseball in the backyard doesn't sound like a blast to most anymore. Physical educators face a challenge to find innovative and engaging way to promote physical activity. The younger generation is spending more time using technology, that involving certain apps into physical education could be the answer. Some example of these apps are Ubersense, Seven, and ZombieRun. 

Ubersense is an app that can record a student performing a certain skill set. The student can then review their performance. Each performance can be viewed in slow motion and has a drawing feature where students can truly see if he or she is executing the skill correct by drawing angles. The student can also compare their performance to a professional's. For example, if a student was recording themselves serve a tennis ball, he or she could compare it to Venus Williams serve and look for similarities and differences. 

Seven is an app that focuses on 10 different body part workouts. It is named 'Seven' because each workout only last seven minutes. Some students aren't familiar with what workouts work specific muscle groups so this app would be perfect for them. Students can also use this app at home. Seven has a no equipment option so even if a student isn't at school or a gym, he or she can still get a full workout using items around the house. Exercises are updated often. 

ZombieRun is an interactive fitness game that allows students to track distance, time and pace. The app has 40 different missions to complete. Each mission involves running and collecting certain survival items along with a storyline while you run. If you run too slow or stop for too long, zombies will can get you. It is an fun, exciting new way to get kids moving. As an P.E teacher, you can create your own story and during class students could all run the same mission. It would definitely be a sight to see!

As a physical educator, I am always looking for new and innovative ways for my students to be excited about be active and I think using some of these apps might be the answer. I haven't personally used any of these apps but I am so excited to try them. I think technology is being pushed more and more in P.E and many teachers have had push back about it because many think that using technology in a PE setting would involve sitting down, which is opposite from what we believe in. Why fight it? Use some of these apps and embrace technology and the exciting new uses we have. Technology doesn't have to mean "sitting down".

As a