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.