Technology and Physical Education

Technology is used so commonly in society today that it is inevitable that it will become prevalent in physical education classes. I think the incorporation of technology into physical education is a great idea, as long as it is utilized correctly and efficiently. Technology can be very beneficial for physical education teachers. It can help make the grading process easier, help students track their fitness progress more efficiently, keep parents involved in what is happening in class, and so much more. The advancements in technology can only further the potential of physical educators to instill physical activity and exercise over a lifetime for all their students.

Different technological instruments can be used to help track the fitness levels of students throughout a semester or year of participating in physical education. Such instruments include heart rate monitors, pedometers, TriFIT, and much more. These types of technology can help students set realistic goals for their fitness levels and help them achieve these goals in class. Students can track their own progress and adapt their goals if need be. This makes learning exercise and physical activity for a lifetime more hands on with the students. They are learning techniques to keep track of fitness abilities, as well as how to use the actual instruments. The more hands on students are in getting more physically fit, the more motivated they will be to participate in physical education. These instruments can also help teachers gauge the physical activity levels of their students for a particular lesson. It can help the teachers make changes to their lesson plans to incorporate more activity if needed. These technological instruments also make grading less subjective because actual data can be used to determine if the students are being physically active in class or not. Overall, it is important for physical educators to try to incorporate some type of technological instrument to help track fitness levels of students because it can make class more enjoyable and fair for students.

In addition to technological instruments, the Internet through email and blogs or websites can be used to keep parents involved in their child’s learning. Email can be used to communicate efficiently with parents who are concerned about their child’s grades or status in the class. A website is a great way to let parents and students know what the activities for the week are, as well as when any assignments are due. A blog can also be very informative for parents and students. The Internet is also a great source to research different lesson plans for specific activities and to find information about new activities for class. Physical education teachers can and should use the Internet to make themselves more available to students and parents.

In addition, there are some downfalls to including technology in physical education. Technology is very expensive and some schools may not be able to afford heart rate monitors or pedometers. This is where it is important for physical educators to apply for grants to try to receive money to help afford the new, expensive technology that will make their physical education program better. Furthermore, technology can take away from the student-teacher relationship if it is overused or not used properly.

I think overall technology is important and necessary to include in physical education. It is key that the technology that is incorporated is utilized properly and effectively otherwise it can be disastrous. Technology can help motivate students to participate more in physical education class, which in turn can increase the fitness levels of all the students. It is important that technological instruments are used correctly because they are a great way to track physical fitness progress of students. Technology is great resource for all physical education teachers and can really be used to make their programs great.