How I Might Use Technology in the P.E. Classroom

Everyday there is some sort of new technology coming out that helps make our lives easier. I will admit that I do not feel all of this technology is beneficial especially to the physical education classroom. However, I do feel that there are some technologies that can enhance the learning environment and also help me perform my job as an educator more efficiently. Almost every teacher I have had since high school has used some sort of technology. A majority have used powerpoint, but basically every microsoft office application has been used. I plan on utilizing excel in order to help organize attendance sheets and also keep grades easier. Also, I can create graphs and charts to present to students. In terms of powerpoint, I believe it can be useful to students if the powerpoint is concise and enhances a lesson by presenting useful information.

Other technologies are not available at every school, but districts with money can buy very useful technologies. Heart rate monitors and pedometers can be extremely beneficial and it allows students to see they are actually making progress and improving their physical fitness. I would love to have both of those technologies in my classroom. Other technologies such as DDR and the Wii can be useful especially for those students that are tough to reach with conventional P.E. activities. Technologies can help educators reach a wider range of students and if video games is what kids need to be active today, I am all for it. As far as videos, I feel that there is very beneficial material on select videos. P90-X and Insanity are two videos that explain activities very quickly and keep people active for a majority of the time. However, I am not sold on the benefits of using an instructional video in the classroom. Overall, I plan on utilizing technology in my classroom, but I still will be very concise about keeping students active for a majority of the class period. I feel that keeping students active is extremely important today and using technology ineffectively can take away from it.