Teaching with Technology in PE

Technology is a very important part of learning at all levels of education. Students use technological devices to complete homework assignment, projects, and to study for tests and quizzes. In terms of physical education, I believe technology is not a very popular tool for learning. As a future physical education teacher, I believe technology can be very beneficial to learning in a physical education setting. Therefore, I believe technology should be utilized in PE classes because it can aid in the process of learning.

As a student in elementary PE, I felt that technology did not serve a purpose when it came to learning different concepts in PE. This was due to the way my PE teachers conducted their classes. Most of these teachers always had the students play various sports and games without ever stopping to actually teach us how to perform the required skills and movements. If the teacher were unable to properly explain how to execute certain skills and movements, the use of technology would have been very helpful. A video could have been shown to the students that explained the proper execution of skill or movement concept. In my opinion, a video is one of the best ways to use technology to help students learn in a PE classroom setting.

Although videos can be helpful in describing how to perform a skill or concept, students may become bored or disinterested with what they are viewing. Therefore, I believe other sources of technology should be used more often than videos in a PE setting. Devices such as pedometers and heart rate monitors are much more plausible for use in a PE class. These devices help students become more active while learning about different concepts, such as max heart rate (HR monitor) and exercise (pedometer). Using these devices allows the teacher to set goals for their students, which give the students an incentive to participate and work hard.

Physical education teachers should find ways to integrate technology into their classroom settings because it can be very beneficial to student learning and participation. The use of technology will gain student interest or attention, which will cause them to become more eager to become active during class. As a PE teacher, my number one goal would be to get my students as active as possible. Therefore, if technology can help me achieve this goal I will integrate technology into my curriculum whenever possible or plausible.