Personally, I believe that the introduction and usage of technology in a Physical Education class setting is a topic with a lot of grey areas that are dependent on multiple factors. First of all, the integration of technology into a P.E. curriculum can cost a school a lot of money not only for the equipment, but for the potential installation or actual training of proper usage to the teaching staff. Many school’s are already struggling enough as is in today’s crumbling economy that the funding to Physical Education programs are majorly seeing cutbacks that wouldn’t allow for the purchase of the new and advancing technologies that would most benefit a P.E. class. While the usage of personal heart rate monitors or interactive gaming systems in P.E. may be a great way to keep students engaged in class, the expenses of such technologies are too large for most budgets allotted to P.E. programs. Schools also have to consider the possible costs of having to train their Physical Educators in the proper usage of the equipment. While some educators are naturally more tech savvy, others may not be and may require classes or paid instruction time in order to learn how to properly some equipment.
Furthermore, the usage of technology within a P.E. program is very dependent on the age and maturity of the students you are working with in the class. Some technologies, like the heart rate monitors or videotaping equipment, may be too complex or advanced for younger aged classes. However, you also have to take into account not only the physical age of the students but the maturity level and the students’ ability to be able to learn how to correctly use the technology. If the students aren’t understanding why they are using the equipment or don’t know how to use it appropriately, then the use of the technology will not be as affective as one might hope for it to be. Additionally, if some equipment is very complex, a teacher may have to adjust their lesson plans to allow time for the students to learn how to use and work with the technology efficiently in the class. This can limit the students’ activity for those periods of learning and may even affect activity times of future lesson plans if the students still have problems with the technology later on after the learning sessions.
Overall, I believe that the use of technology in Physical Education is still in the early stages where it may not always be the best option for some P.E. programs. Depending on a school’s budget for P.E. and the level of the students to be able to understand the use of the technology, it can more often be seen as a hindrance to a class rather than something that is beneficial. However, I am not totally against the usage of some technologies in class. With the right equipment, like heart rate monitors, video recorders, or pedometers, students can get a better idea of the effects that their physical activity in P.E. is actually having on their bodies. If a teacher has the funding and general understanding of how to properly use the technology effectively than I believe using it within a classroom can be beneficial in that condition. But, like previously state, I believe the issue of technology usage is very much a situation to situation basis that is influenced by many outside factors.
I completely agree that use of technology in PE should be based situationally. I also like the point you made about technology's effectiveness being based on whether or not the students can better understand how physical activity impacts their bodies. If technology is not a catalyst towards that goal, it should not be used. Money is always going to be a concern especially with budget cuts in our profession so that is a legit point as well. Some schools are going to be more fortunate than others but those that are not as fortunate will be just fine if they can education their students on the benefits of physical activity and get them active which is and should be the #1 concern with children today anyway. Great post, Nicole.
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology in a PE class can often be more of a hindrance than a helpful tool. By putting time into teaching the students how to work the particular technology, you are taking away valuable time that the students could actually be doing physical activity. I also think that students are more interested in having fun, and being active in PE class than worrying about complicated technology programs that will track their fitness levels. I think using simple machines to track progress such as a scale, blood pressure machines, watches to count resting heart rate, and measuring tapes to track any inches lost, is a better method, because it will save money, and you can still get information on the kids' health. Actually getting children to be active, and teaching them the benefits of being healthy needs to be the main priority in physical education, not teaching them technology.
ReplyDelete-Kelsey
I strongly agree with this post. You have to think about "wait time" and the time being used to teach children to use technology can be used for physical activity. I dont believe children worry about their heart rate or the amount of steps they take. It has and will always be about being fun and if they find any physical activity being fun they will continue to do it. Depending on the technology, it should be a last resort, especially if funds are low in the academic institution. Schools should not spend money on technology if its not needed. If the physical education class is doing well without technology then that money can go somewhere else. Technology may help to improve the gym class by introducing new gadgets to children but if children are participating and are understanding the importance of physical activity then there is no need for technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post. Technology in the Physical Education setting is completely based on the schools need for it and if its budget allows for it. While it does make learning easier and more fun, it also can take a long time to learn how to use the technology and to teach the students how to use it. I do think that every school should try to implement some sort of technology in their program like a pedometer or heart rate monitors at some point in time.
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