Educational Opportunities and Technology

The opportunities for teaching with technology are endless. Technology is an excellent way to offer new and interesting learning techniques. Technological resources include items such as "wearable technology (pedometers or heart rate monitors), the internet, ipods, digital video cameras, Dance Dance Revolution games, Cateye bike computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), or Tablet PCs." These devices provide various advantages to the class experience. Educators will need to adjust and organize their lesson plans accordingly to accomodate technological methods.

More information on this topic can be found here:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7093/is_4_29/ai_n31340040/?tag=content;col1

Concept Mapping Technology in Phys Ed

Concept mapping is the use of diagrams to show relationships between concepts. Ideas can be organized using this graphing tool. Concept mapping uses Unified Modeling Language (UML) as the standardized general-purpose modeling language in the field of software engineering. This technology can be a useful tool for teaching physical education concepts.

One online program for concept mapping in Physical Education offers the following assessment ideas: (http://www.pesoftware.com/Technews/news.html)

1. Depicting locomotor and nonlocomotor movements.

2. Depicting the components of health-related fitness.

3. Illustrating fundamental skills used in different sports



This is an interesting technology that could greatly assist students in learning the fundamentals of many physical education topics, from sports to nutrition and training.

Video Games and Weight Loss

At at time in history when American people, especially children, seem to be heavier and more sedentary than ever, the Nintendo Game Company may have come up with a solution. In 2007 Nintendo introduced an exercise game for its newest game system, the Wii. The Wii Fit game offers aerobics, yoga, strength training and balance all in the privacy of your own home from your own TV. Altho I don't own a system, I have had the opportunity to play. I bowled, played golf, tennis and boxing. My opinion is that the Wii Fit is a good way to jumpstart an exercise program. It is fun and challenging for beginners. Although it will probably never take the place of a good gym workout or a run in the park, I found it to be a very good use of technology in physical activity.


Here are a couple of good online articles on weight loss and the Wii game.
http://www.newsweek.com/2008/05/20/the-wii-fit-workout.html
http://openedpractices.org/course/fitness-and-technology