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. 

To 

Bl