Physical+Education



** TPCK Chapter 10 Reaction **

** Physical Education **

Physical education has really changed over time in the school setting. I can remember when I was in school it was something I really looked forward to and would have taken it for every class. As technology has become more affordable and more a part of everyday use, it has had some effects that are not in the best interests of our students today.

Computer games, more television choices, and the ability to chat around the world in real live time has made going outside to play a thing of the past. Physical activity as a result has declined and with it the love of subject like “gym”. This chapter talks about the way technology can enhance instructor and student learning in ways that make it more beneficial for both.

I agree with the chapter that technology can and does make it easier to get points across and to help learning of things in physical education. What I feel most strongly about though is the ability technology can bring to make physical activity more enjoyable and something students WANT to take part in. I can remember going to the gym to do my cardio workouts. They were not a favorite part of the regiment I was on but a very necessary piece to an overall healthy workout. I used to just walk on the stair master. I walked hours and hours but got nowhere. Boring.

One day the gym brought in a new bank or rowing machines. In itself nothing new there we always had rowing machine, but these were different. On these there was a monitor and a video game like man who mimicked my rowing, kept my speed, and the best yet, allowed me to race my previous self. I spent hours and hours on there and had a great time. Even looking forward to my cardio sessions. I think in education we need to allow technology to enhance not only the knowledge of learning, but the fun and excitement as well.

Most of the class brought attention to the following three things:
 * Commonalities in reactions to reading and a soapbox section **
 * Physical education teachers need not only to know and understand the kinesthetic complexities to the activities they are supporting students in, but how to perform the activity well themselves
 * Technology in Physical education is being used in their schools physical education classroom, but money (if not accepted for a grant), like all other areas of study prevents the school and teachers from obtaining equipment and software that could make for an optimal learning experience.
 * In addition to knowledge and understanding of kinesiology, and proficient performance of the activity itself, teachers in physical education need to be even more sensitive and conscious to students experience and/or lack of experience with physical and cognitive education on health. Teachers must be sensitive to those students who have had poor and/or little experience with physical education in order to help them succeed.

I really enjoyed reading Jason’s reflection piece regarding an example of a student that may be 50lbs overweight…”Sure, he might try to eat healthy and walk more for a few weeks, but seeing no results on the scales is pretty discouraging and our culture offers little support as well. Now that same kid can track his steps and feel proud by that quantifiable accomplishment even if it takes weeks for the scale or his waistline to show evidence of improvement.” Technology can be a critical piece in really getting students to see what their body does, how it works, and support teachers in data collection as well, some wrote that it can get them really excited and helps to push them further too! It was interesting to read some of the entries that touched on negative experiences in school and then look at some of the positive experiences that others wrote regarding the increased technology. It was also refreshing to read how a lot of our classmate’s schools physical education classrooms were really taking advantage of basic things like heart rate monitors. Like all areas of study, some of the technology out there is amazing, and can really support in bettering education, however financially, the top of the line things in technology are not always obtainable. The great thing about this subject area is that heart rate monitors and applying for grants for specific programs/equipment, when used properly can really support teachers and students and make for a more exciting, pleasant experience, allowing students and teachers to enjoy this subject and further their education. While studying at Western Washington University, I had an exquisite Physical Education professor that provided us with very simple alternatives to integrate all cognitive and physical abilities of students. Simple games or lessons on the body that got the kids excited for the class, made them feel safe, and met each level of student. Whether it was creating space for a student in a wheelchair, playing running/tag games that had little to no competition, integrating simple songs to learn different parts of the body, supporting ELL learners and classmates by finding songs in both languages, to educate the ELL learner in English and the other classmates in the student’s primary language, he made it exciting and with no pressure but was able to assess students strengths and weaknesses throughout the class. As a graduate from public education where I learned that there were the athletes and non-athletes, and as much as I loved soccer, I was not an athlete, my experiences and the support from my teachers were not pleasant, leaving me with very little interest in physical and ultimately mental well being until taking this college course at WWU. If only all of our students could have a positive experience like I did in college with physical activity and understanding their personal bodies in their years in public education, I feel we would see a great improvement in societies health and cognitive development overall. The physical education classroom should be the leader in technology and education for its students and the other teachers in the school. This subject area can be integrated into any classroom setting. Given the enormous amount of research in the positives of physical activity relating to positive cognitive development and mental health, it is worth investing some time into to integrate it into the classroom curriculum. ** Physical Education Technology Sites ** [] [] [] [] [] []
 * []**
 * Ski Reader, Slope, speed, distance.**
 * []**
 * ELL specific site.**
 * []**
 * Clearing house for multiple lessons already designed.**
 * Pedometer, Heart rate monitor and design activities.**
 * I-tune applications for exercise and lessons planning.**
 * Cardio lesson plans and application ideas.**
 * Activities that promote physical exercise and student activity.**
 * Physical Education and activity website with multiple ideas and designs.**
 * Website designed around PE activities and health lessons.**