HIGHLIGHTS
The edtech integration to flipped classroom comes in the form of student center learning. Students get into groups to work together on selecting a PE activity. Students present their instructional ideas to the teacher, and from there, once approved begin to design their lesson. Students are required to provide instruction to their peers. This comes in the form on instructional videos that are either student or professionally created that their peers will watch on their own time. PE class time is maximized by saving on instructional time for directions.
Students use mobile devices to record each other for formative assessment purposes. Students review the short video clips and may review the recorded content. This helps students to do better in their PE activities. Software programs such as Vidalyze and Coaches Eye can be used by students to help review their peer’s form or they can use it themselves to compare video clips.
Students also have digital journals that are submitted to the instructor every PE period. Entries in the journals are peer reviews of their fellow students, as well as the student leads evaluate each other than other students. The instructor leverages the power of Google Classroom to maintain all of the assignments for the students and to manage the submittal of daily journal entries.
Game-based learning is ever increasing. Have heard of and tried Pokémon go? According to IGN, there are more than 5 million users playing Pokémon go. The app has created a good problem, where people are getting more exercise than before as they catch Pokémon in their neighborhoods and beyond.
Adapting this concept for PE purposes can be done using an app called Monsuta Fitness. Monsuta is the Japanese word for monster. Students with mobile devices are able to hunt for monsters along a predefined map. From there, students hunt for monsters and perform specific PE “battles”. A brief description of the mobile app can be found on the PE Geek website.
Quick Response Code, better known as QR codes can also be integrated into PE. An example of its use is to have stations setup indoors or outdoors with QR codes that link to specific instructor, student, or professionally created video clips of instructions of what to do at a particular PE station. QR codes can be scanned by student mobile devices.
WHERE WE ARE HEADING
In thinking about students with disabilities, inclusion is one of the challenges that arise in PE classes. Do you currently use pedometers in your class? What metrics can they provide to students and to teachers? If a student is unable to walk, what metrics can that student report on?
CRDG IT has been working on a small pilot in looking at using wearables and advanced wearables to gather additional metrics such as heart rate, calories burnt, and the potential for oxygen monitoring right from your wrist. Alternative metrics for students with disabilities could have an impact on individuals self-esteem, as well as feeling closer connected to PE activities.
RESOURCES
The PE Geek website
Jarod is an excellent resource. His main site list an array of ways to connect and engage with other physical education and health instructors world wide.
Additional free resources and professional development can be found on Jarod’s Connected PE website.