This is a blog explaining what Open Education is all about. The benefits and negatives of using the overall concept of Open Education. Could this be the future for all schools?
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Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Monday, June 19, 2017
Article Review: Virtual P.E.? No Sweat!
Today, more and more schools are offering online classes. This now includes physical education. This article explains how one school district structures their online physical education class.
In the Minneapolis Public Schools, about 10% of students elected to take physical education online. Reasons among students varies from difficulty, course overload, body image issues and medical issues. MPS offer two online courses, Fitness for Life I and Fitness for Life II. "Each course is broken into two components: written, cognitive assignments that the students submit to the teacher (40 percent of the grade), and physical activity of the students' choosing (60 percent)." Students are allowed to work on their written assignments at their own pace, on their own time, in the comfort of their choosing. Students are required to complete a total of 15 physical activity hours of their choosing. This could range from walking, to playing football on the varsity team, to dance class at the local YMCA, etc. Students will need a guardian or coach to sign off on all physical activities.
As a physical educator, I did not like the idea of online physical education at all. Our main focus as P.E teachers is to get kids moving, teach them physical skills and give them the tools to live a long, healthy life. I truly didn't understand why students couldn't complete it in school just like everyone else. I don't believe that sitting in front of computer screen is really teaching students to be life long movers. After reading this article, I do believe that all schools should offer P.E. online course for students with special circumstances. For example, the article explained how one student elected to take P.E online because she was pregnant. She didn't want to fall behind on her studies, so this class was a great way to work at her own pace and participate in physical activities that were physically safe for her. I don't think online P.E classes should be offered to everyone though.
I did think it was great that students had to complete physical activity hours. This is the first online PE course that I have heard of where the school required students to complete those hours. I think that it should be more than just 15 hours but it's a start. I also like this aspect of this class because students get to decide what physical activity that would like to do. For instance, one of my most athletic students, hated soccer with a passion. For those three weeks, she was very unmotivated, lacked enthusiasm and really brought a sad atmosphere to the class. If she was able to choose her physical activity, I do not believe this type of behavior would occur in my class. Every sport isn't for everyone but physical movement is.
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Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Article Review #3: Bringing Lessons to Life
Baird, M. (2016). BRINGING LESSONS TO LIFE. Literacy Today (2411-7862), 34(3), 24-25.
Who would of thought catching Pokemon on the streets would help create an active, engaging classroom? With same concept of Pokemon GO, sparked a similar idea within the classroom. One app that has truly embraced this concept is Aurasma. Aurasma is a free app where a teacher can create a channel where students can easily follow and images, bulletins, posters, etc. can come alive. A teacher can simply create a "trigger" image where he or she can embed a video, animation or picture. A student can then use the Aurasma app camera and place it over the triggered image. The student would then discover an image or video. A teacher can use this app in a variety of ways. For example, it can be used to check for understanding questions, translation, visual examples, etc. "Educators are always in search of ways to reach a diverse population of students with different needs. The marriage between augmented reality and classroom material provides a platform for students to chose multiple means to represent their mastery, take ownership and responsibility for content and be eagerly engaged students" (Baird, pg.2). Aurasma is a very versatile app that can be used for any subject and any kind of learner.
Aurasma has worked great in my physical education class for stations. By the time students change and attendence is taking and travel time to a particular area, student only have about 30 minutes for physical activity. Often, students work in pair resulting in 20+ stations. By the time I explain each station, student now only have 20 minutes for activity. Aurasm has truly helped speed up this process. Students would travel from station to station and complete an exercise from either level 1 or level 2. Two trigger images are posted at each station. When the student places his or her phone over the trigger image, using the Aurasma app, a picture or video of the particular exercise is displayed. This eliminates explanation time. I, as the teacher, now have more time to correct form, and assist my students in anyway he or she may need.
I would definitely recommend this app to any teacher no matter the grade level or subject. This app is very interactive and engaging to students. Students want to unveil the hidden message, increasing learning. Aurasma is not only for students but can be used for parents and faculty too. One idea is to use this app for a school open house night. Students can explore the building and discover where particular teachers teach, how-to videos, meet the virtual faculty, etc. For example, outside each classroom could be a particular trigger image. The teacher of that classroom would then have a short video of themselves embedded, explaining who they are, what they need for the class and any other additional information. This then allows the students to get familiar with the classroom and who the teacher is, making he or she feel more comfortable when they come to the school.
Who would of thought catching Pokemon on the streets would help create an active, engaging classroom? With same concept of Pokemon GO, sparked a similar idea within the classroom. One app that has truly embraced this concept is Aurasma. Aurasma is a free app where a teacher can create a channel where students can easily follow and images, bulletins, posters, etc. can come alive. A teacher can simply create a "trigger" image where he or she can embed a video, animation or picture. A student can then use the Aurasma app camera and place it over the triggered image. The student would then discover an image or video. A teacher can use this app in a variety of ways. For example, it can be used to check for understanding questions, translation, visual examples, etc. "Educators are always in search of ways to reach a diverse population of students with different needs. The marriage between augmented reality and classroom material provides a platform for students to chose multiple means to represent their mastery, take ownership and responsibility for content and be eagerly engaged students" (Baird, pg.2). Aurasma is a very versatile app that can be used for any subject and any kind of learner.
Aurasma has worked great in my physical education class for stations. By the time students change and attendence is taking and travel time to a particular area, student only have about 30 minutes for physical activity. Often, students work in pair resulting in 20+ stations. By the time I explain each station, student now only have 20 minutes for activity. Aurasm has truly helped speed up this process. Students would travel from station to station and complete an exercise from either level 1 or level 2. Two trigger images are posted at each station. When the student places his or her phone over the trigger image, using the Aurasma app, a picture or video of the particular exercise is displayed. This eliminates explanation time. I, as the teacher, now have more time to correct form, and assist my students in anyway he or she may need.
I would definitely recommend this app to any teacher no matter the grade level or subject. This app is very interactive and engaging to students. Students want to unveil the hidden message, increasing learning. Aurasma is not only for students but can be used for parents and faculty too. One idea is to use this app for a school open house night. Students can explore the building and discover where particular teachers teach, how-to videos, meet the virtual faculty, etc. For example, outside each classroom could be a particular trigger image. The teacher of that classroom would then have a short video of themselves embedded, explaining who they are, what they need for the class and any other additional information. This then allows the students to get familiar with the classroom and who the teacher is, making he or she feel more comfortable when they come to the school.
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Friday, April 7, 2017
David Pogue: Time Saving Tech Tips
While watching this video, I felt as like I didn't know anything about technology! It was such easy tips, I don't know how I never knew! I really thought the blackout tip was great. When I teach using a power point, I often feel as if my students are just so focused on writing down the notes that they don't often listen to the key points that I am verbally saying. With a simple press of the "B" key, I can blackout the slide and make sure my students are listening. When I'm done explaining my key points, I can press the "B" key again and the slide comes back right where I left off. Brilliant!
The Future Ready Framework Gears: 'Use of Space and Time' Reflect
Within a physical education classroom, the 'use of space and time' is very important. Students are constantly moving. Whether that's throughout a gym space or traveling to the outside fields. The ability to connect to the internet anywhere in the building and outside is a wonderful thing. For instance, when my students are participating in the cardio unit, they always wear heart rate monitors. Each monitor is then connected to an ipad where students can physically see if they are working in their heart rate zone. Recently, our football stadium got wifi installed so now lessons can be outside, utilizing our great facilities.
Time is also very crucial, especially in physical education setting. We already lose ten minutes due to dressing so technology really help speed up certain activities. For example, the app 'Seconds' is a timer where students can see the amount of time left, beeps when it time to rotate, and counts down to when it's time to start the next rotation. This helps maximum time so that I, as the teacher, don't need to keep a timer, yell, and try to demonstrate when to rotate over music. I can actually go around helping my students and correcting form. Little things like that can really help maximum time in a physical education as well as classroom management.
Time is also very crucial, especially in physical education setting. We already lose ten minutes due to dressing so technology really help speed up certain activities. For example, the app 'Seconds' is a timer where students can see the amount of time left, beeps when it time to rotate, and counts down to when it's time to start the next rotation. This helps maximum time so that I, as the teacher, don't need to keep a timer, yell, and try to demonstrate when to rotate over music. I can actually go around helping my students and correcting form. Little things like that can really help maximum time in a physical education as well as classroom management.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Article Review #2: Xbox Kinect Gaming Systems as a Supplemental Tool Within a Physical Education Classroom
Shewmake, C. J., Merrie, M. D., & Calleja, P. (2015). Xbox Kinect Gaming Systems as a Supplemental Tool Within a Physical Education Setting: Third and Fourth Grade Students' Perspectives. Physical Educator, 72142-152.
A study was conducted in a rural elementary school in Northwest Arkansas examining the enjoyment and exertion of a traditional gym setting verses an exergaming lab (MKR) among 3rd and 4th graders. Today's society is ever changing, adapting, and growing into more and more technology. Physical education is trying to evolve in these changing times to as well. Technology is popular among students so the idea is to bring technology into the P.E to enhance student interest and enjoyment. Over the last three decades, obesity rates in adolescences has been at an all time high due to lack of activity. The idea of creating an exergaming lab within physical education classroom may better relate to students, allowing for more movement, involvement and enjoyment.
Two PE settings were used in this study, a traditional gym setting and an exergaming lab (MKR). Students entered each setting for 30 minutes. During the traditional gym setting students participated in an obstacle course that involved running, jumping, and hurdling activities. In the MKR setting, two students were assigned 1 of 12 Microsoft Kinect gaming consoles and competed in track and field events activities of the Kinect Sports video game. At the end of each setting, students were given a survey to examine enjoyment and perceived exertion differences between the settings. Each survey consisted of 10 statements. The first seven statements were designed to measure student enjoyment and the last three statements measured student perceived exertion level. Students responded to each statement with a 1-5 point answer. 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Results:
Students enjoyed the MKR significantly more than the traditional gym setting. However, students felt that they worked harder in a traditional PE setting.
I found this study very interesting. I definitely see the benefit in incorporating something new and exciting such as a MKR lab in a PE setting but I can see some downfalls as well. I believe it is important that all students get a great workout in PE. This doesn't always happen for every students because he or she may be uninterested, non-athletic, bored, etc. The MKR could be a great way to excite these students. As PE teachers, our job is to create a fitness fun and friendly enivornment. In my opinion, I think the MKR lab would be a great, one day a week activity but definitely not an everyday thing. The students didn't feel as if they got a great workout from it and I'm sure I wouldn't think they did either. Overall, I see the advantages and disadvantages for incorpating the MKR lab.
A study was conducted in a rural elementary school in Northwest Arkansas examining the enjoyment and exertion of a traditional gym setting verses an exergaming lab (MKR) among 3rd and 4th graders. Today's society is ever changing, adapting, and growing into more and more technology. Physical education is trying to evolve in these changing times to as well. Technology is popular among students so the idea is to bring technology into the P.E to enhance student interest and enjoyment. Over the last three decades, obesity rates in adolescences has been at an all time high due to lack of activity. The idea of creating an exergaming lab within physical education classroom may better relate to students, allowing for more movement, involvement and enjoyment.
Two PE settings were used in this study, a traditional gym setting and an exergaming lab (MKR). Students entered each setting for 30 minutes. During the traditional gym setting students participated in an obstacle course that involved running, jumping, and hurdling activities. In the MKR setting, two students were assigned 1 of 12 Microsoft Kinect gaming consoles and competed in track and field events activities of the Kinect Sports video game. At the end of each setting, students were given a survey to examine enjoyment and perceived exertion differences between the settings. Each survey consisted of 10 statements. The first seven statements were designed to measure student enjoyment and the last three statements measured student perceived exertion level. Students responded to each statement with a 1-5 point answer. 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Results:
Students enjoyed the MKR significantly more than the traditional gym setting. However, students felt that they worked harder in a traditional PE setting.
I found this study very interesting. I definitely see the benefit in incorporating something new and exciting such as a MKR lab in a PE setting but I can see some downfalls as well. I believe it is important that all students get a great workout in PE. This doesn't always happen for every students because he or she may be uninterested, non-athletic, bored, etc. The MKR could be a great way to excite these students. As PE teachers, our job is to create a fitness fun and friendly enivornment. In my opinion, I think the MKR lab would be a great, one day a week activity but definitely not an everyday thing. The students didn't feel as if they got a great workout from it and I'm sure I wouldn't think they did either. Overall, I see the advantages and disadvantages for incorpating the MKR lab.
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