twitter 2.0

Check out this site for web 2.0 resources;https://t.co/rdlspzSHmW #ED50591413UWA
— Edwin Harris (@EdwinATC24) July 9, 2013

Glogster Nutrition Food Pyramid

Web 2.0 Resources in the Classroom

As I pointed out in my last blog (7/2/2013) physical education and health has been put on time restraints in many school systems due to increase academic pressure in core subjects to reach benchmarks on standardized testing, therefore, learning to use resources like web 2.0 to increase online content could be very helpful.  My own child will be entering high school this year where they are teaching an integrated class call LIFE PE that students take the entire year and receive state credit requirements for health, driver’s education, and physical education (Nivada Spurlock, Chairman Physical Education, Homewood School System).  To accomplish this the school system is using a combination of “hybrid learning where the course is a mixture of online and face-to-face delivery” (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p. 207).  For example, the health component is taught entirely through on-line modules.

According to “keeping pace”, hybrid learning is the “fastest growing segment of k-12 online learning (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.212).  As distance learning increases education systems must keep in mind characteristics of successful distance learners such as responsibility and self-organization ability of students.  Furthermore characteristics of  effective distance learning instructors such as course planning, verbal and non-verbal presentation skills, ability to use strategies, and ability to coordinate several internet sites for student activities need to be kept in mind.(Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.213).

Using web 2.0 resources embrace the technology world students of today are growing up in; therefore, instructors must keep pace.  Interacting with files online in recent years has expanded with tools such as icloud and drop box (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.220) which makes sharing much easier for students and instructors in online learning.  Sending instructions or assignments through email was the only option a few years ago in online instruction.  However, now instructors can use blogs as their main communication points with links to web 2.0 resources like in this week’s assignments (glogster, animoto, blabberize), websites, tweets, wiki lesson plans, Prezi presentations and many other internet options (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.222).    The web 2.0 resources like glogster (1 page), and short videos (30 seconds) like animoto, blabberize with animals talking are good examples of tools that can be embedded into a blog.  These presentations are short which I think helps keep students attention and can be used to introduce an entire unit of study or simple lesson plan in a fun way.

Try our video maker at Animoto.

Blabber3

Blabber2

Blabber1

Mobile Technologies in the Classroom

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Video explaining heart rate monitor using i pod with Nike+running program.

Mobile Technologies in the Classroom

As I discussed in a earlier blog (June 3, 2013) technology is much more than the world wide web access through our computers, now with mobile technology of iPods, iPhone and tablets technology is truly everywhere.  I mentioned in the June 3, 2013 how iPads were being used for curriculum's such as physical education with exercise apps.  I think iPads and  iphones can be used to make physical education and health much more interesting in a time when there is a decrease emphasis across the nation in health and PE requirements. Roblyer and Doering point due to emphasis on meeting benchmarks in core subjects less time is being allotted for PE and health (p.378)  However, studies have shown that the decrease emphasis in physical education may be affecting students health.  The number of overweight children in the United States has triple since 1980.  Besides the decrease emphasis in physical education, Roblyer and Doering point out research indicates children are less active due to spending more free time watching TV and playing (Fogel, 2010) computer games (p.381).

Therefore, what I want to discussed today is how technology and apps can benefit students and schools by helping in the instruction in physical education and health with the limited time allotted for these subjects in the majority of school systems today. Consequently, demonstrating how to use technology to increase activity not decrease activity.

Our text reviewed several programs that could be useful technology in physical education classes.  The first one fits into the category of software know as exergaming, “video games that provide physical activity or exercise through interactive play” (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.29).  Games such as Dance Dance Revolution (www.ddrgame.com) and Nintendo Wii games with dance pads provide a good alternative to participation to engage students in aerobic activities (p.389).  I think these programs would be very helpful and fun to the students that do not view their selves as athletic.  The Nike + running program highlighted in the video embedded with this blog can be used in conjunction with programs like dance revolution to teach understanding how heart rate monitoring can help increase intensity during exercise, therefore, increasing cardiovascular fitness. 

Banville and Polifko in 2009 (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.385) “research confirm that video feedback can increase the ability to learn and perform motor skill.” This can be from reviewing video images from video recorder, digital camera, ipad & i phones that can give student immediate feedback.  An example of using video feedback could be as follows, first set up video station for motor skill (Batting –softball).  Place students in small groups, one student hits ball, second student gives feedback from video, and third student records performance in writing (p.386).  Dartfish (www.dartfish.com) is a video software program that can be used for basic motor skill training (elementary school) by physical education teachers and has advanced modes that are used by professional physical therapist and certified athletic trainers to analyze movement.

Four Free Apps for Physical Education & Health.

Nike app for running (www.apple.com/ipod/nike) is a simple, fun app that measures distance ran or walked, pace of run, and calories burned. The app allows you to set your calendar to remind you when to run, and gives points called Nike fuel to keep the student challenged.  It can also be used with heart rate monitors to guide students in intensity of their workout.

Next app is called Loseit (www.loseit.com) which can set goals for losing weight in a safe, healthy way.  Students can learn healthy choices by tracking their calorie intake, and it gives students feedback on percentage of fat, carbohydrates, and proteins in the calorie intake.

Third mobile app is AphaTrainer (www.alphatrainerapp.com). This app allows individual to pick different parts of their body they want to focus on and will recommend workout to target those specific areas.  Program gives examples of each exercise so students learn proper technique and knowledge of how exercises work different parts of the body.  Program will modify workout according to if you are doing it at home or at the gym.

Last app is called Lighting Finder, it has a free trail period then their is a charge if you want to keep it.  Find it at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lightning-finder/id406162876?mt=8. 
As physical education instructors, coaches, or athletic trainers safety of our students and athletes should always be our primary concern.  Lighting is a real threat and kills, this app can be on your phone and it will let you know the distance the strikes are from your location and the amount of time between each strike.  Unfortuantely, there is not a certified athletic trainer employed at every high school, therefore this responsiblitly falls on the PE instructor (or coach if sport related) for outdoor activities.  The NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) recommends waiting 30 minutes once lighting is detected, if no strikes occur in 30 minutes then it is safe to resume activities.