Tech+Toys+for+P.E.



Technology is greatly becoming a huge part of education. Not only is finding its way into the classroom, but it is also finding its way into the gymnasium. Technology is steadily moving into Physical Education and becoming a big part of the curriculum. this transition is a good one in that many of the new technology moving into P.E. are ones that can only broadening the P.E. curriculum. These new technologies help to create new lessons along with new activities to help to try and appeal to more students. These "Tech. Toys" are becoming a part of P.E. and will definitely play a role in Physical Education in the future.

Using Wii Fit in physical education classes gains student interest and gets the students excited. The Wii Fit is not only a skillfully designed videogame, but it is also a great way to get a work out and much more (Carter). Students start by taking a body test to establish baseline data (Rice University). From there, students may set goals and begin their training. As students progress, they unlock different and more difficult exercises (Rice Univeristy). The students mark their results on a digital calendar built into the game which contain information such as Body Mass Index (BMI). As students play the game, the trainer explains the importance of health and asks the students questions (Carter). Students improve their center of balance, muscular strength, BMI, and begin to understand the importance of their overall health (Fortes).

Health is a very important part of everyone’s life. Many people may think they are in good health and shape but in reality they are not. There are many ways to find out exactly what your body composition. One way is the BodPod. The bod pod is a device that has a chamber that a person gets into. Once in the chamber the BodPod uses air displacement to calculate the body composition of the person (Bod Pod). This measure is essential for helping people truly understand how their body is made up. Knowing this will help them be able to take the necessary steps to getting into better shape and better health (Dakato). This is a key part of physical education. Physical education is a key part of helping students better understand how they can stay healthy and maintain that health throughout their lifetime. The BodPod helps to show students what is healthy and what isn’t.

While video games have been proven to be a culprit of inactivity in the past, new games such as Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) are actually making participants breaking a sweat (Timmer). Some physical educators have begun to integrate such games into their classrooms (Timmer). DDR and other similar games have the potential to make physical education more fun for students who may not regularly find physical education fun (Schiesel). DDR also has the potential to, and has been proven to, help students understand rhythm and tempo; to promote teamwork, cooperation, fair play; and even enhance creative dance choreography (Trout). Schools in West Virginia have shown that students have more fun with DDR than more traditional sports ( Schiesel). DDR is a growing game and more and more schools are looking to invest DDR and other similar games (Schiesel).

Physical education is very important to the health of the nation. it is esential to teaching young minds how to be physacly fit and how to maintain that health throughout their lifetime. Through using technology, physical education teacher can reach their students in new ways and hopefully get the youth of the nation back on the right track to healthier lifestyles.

**Neil Kamp’s Notes** Schools across the country are bringing new technology to the class rooms, such as Nintendo Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution, and Heart Rate Monitors, to help increase student interest and participation. Schools are applying for grants to help afford the technology which is easier to get money for then standard Physical Education equipment. Carter, D. (2008). Technology brings ‘new p.e.’ to schools. //School districts compete for grants that bring more interactive, information-based curriculum to gym classes//, Retrieved from[]
 * Technology brings ‘new P.E.’ to schools**

This article is an example of how a fifth grade class integrated technology into physical education. Students were working on a wall climbing lesson. The students recorded one another climbing the wall and then gave a PowerPoint on the performance of the climb. This experience brought many different types of technology to the physical education lesson. Fortes, Scott. (2003). Climbing the walls to write in physical education: a technology-integration project. //The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance//, //74, 2003//. Retrieved from[]
 * Climbing the Walls to Write in Physical Education: A Technology-Integration Project**

This article explains how many different types of technology were used in schools. The main type of technology used was the Nintendo Wii Fit. This game, along with computer programs and internet websites, helped students with their physical education development. Many goals such as: develop physical skills for exercise execution, develop ability to find information about their nutrition and physical activity when the information wasn't already available, and expose students to a wide variety of media available for the learning of correct exercise technique and fitness programming were all reached in these experiment. Rice Univeristy. (2009). Wii me: using technology in the physical education classroom. Retrieved from http://openedpractices.org/course/fitness-and-technology
 * Wii Me: Using Technology in the Physical Education Classroom**

The bod pod is a great way to measure the BMI of a person. It does so through air displacement plethysmography. This is calculated by measuring the person’s weight using a very accurate electronic scale then it measures the body mass of the person through the displacement of air. [] The bod pod is a great choice for measuring BMI because it is safe, easy, and accurate. With the rise in obesity people need t become more aware of their BMI and the bod pod is a great way to find it. It is also good for BMI because it can detect the smallest change in body composition and give fast feedback so you can do what is necessary to be healthier. []
 * __ Corey Carr’s Notes __**
 * Bop Pod: How it Works **
 * Why the Bod Pod? **

=**DDR Notes**=

This article is about the integration of Dance Dance Revolution into the P.E classroom. Non-competitive games such as DDR and Wii Fit are great ways to incorporate technology into physical education. It goes on to explain how middle schools and some high schools in over 10 states are investing in DDR because it excites students about physical activity. This is something that everyone can enjoy and still get the same quality exercise.
 * P.E. Classes Turn to Video Game That Works Legs**

Schiesel, S. (n.d.). Dance Dance Revolution - Childhood Obesity - New York Times. //The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia//. Retrieved March 3, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html?_r=2&oref=slogin It is becoming harder and harder to get kids to partake and be involved in today’s physical education classes although it seems as though P.E. is one way to reach and try to prevent the rise of obesity in our nation. Due to the fact that the teachers are having trouble getting students involved and participating they are trying to find new means of activity to get the students involved in. one of these new ways is DDR. Students seem to be more likely to participate in this activity because it is an arcade game. Timmer, John. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/04/dance-dance-revolution-coming-to-a-gym-class-near-you.ars
 * Dance Dance Revolution Hits the High School Gym Class **

Neil KampNeil KampCorey CarrCorey



Corey Carr, Neil Kamp