Using Technology in My P.E. Classes

I think that technology will play an important role in my teaching career. My own experience, in addition to what I have learned so far this semester, has helped me to realize how effective and efficient the use of technology can be in instruction when used properly. Most, if not all of my teachers in high school and college have used technology as simple as the Microsoft Office programs; these include, but are not limited to Microsoft Word for lesson plans, assignments, rubrics, or visual displays, Microsoft Excel to calculate grades and keep track of attendance, and Microsoft PowerPoint to create slideshows to display and provide information to the class. More specifically to Physical Education, my teacher in high school also used TVs & videos to help with aerobics and other lessons. In my experiences observing in the area, I have seen students using heart rate monitors, projectors and fitness DVDs, and other forms of technology that were new to me.

The budget where the school I work will help to dictate what technologies I chose to use. Because my generation has become so comfortable with computers, it would only be natural for me to use computers, and the Microsoft Office programs that I have been exposed to for the past several years. I have seen how easy and efficient their use has been in my classrooms, and plan to use them similarly. If the budget allows, I would like to incorporate heart rate monitors as a main technology use in my teaching. Although I have not personally used them in physical education classes, I have seen them used and think that they can be really helpful for the students. In my grammar school years, computers and video games were available, but not to the extent that they are today. In my experiences, children played outside more often. Overweight and obesity levels were lower, and children got more physical activity. While they may not have known their specific heart rate, or what it should be, they were healthy. With obesity on the rise along with increase in computer, video games, etc., physical inactivity is on the rise. Doctors, teachers, and concerned parents are constantly encouraging students to be physically active. Students who are unfamiliar may not know what this should entail. It is so important, however, for them to achieve their target heart rate while exercising, and this may be hard to determine without heart rate monitors. This would enable students to learn what it "feels like" to reach this goal heart rate and then continue to work out at it outside of class.

I am also interested in using a workout DVD system in a "choice class" that students sign up for. I've seen P90X system used with a projector and DVD player in a high school class. They had specifically signed up for this type of conditioning class and it seemed to engage the students who were mostly participating. I would use this same technology in my classroom if I were to teach in a high school with adequate funding.

Overall, I have seen and experienced effective and efficient uses of technology in physical education instruction. These have helped to shape my plans for teaching in my own job. Technology will be an important part of my lesson plans in teaching physical education in the future.