Technology in an every day PE class

Throughout the entire unit, student’s primary use of technology will be through the use of pedometers to track the number of steps they take each class period. The students will enter the gymnasium, retrieve their pedometers from the assigned slot they were given and will put them on their waistband. After completed, students will be told the purpose of the pedometers through “Step Across America”, and activity that tracks each grade levels progress on their pre-set goal to walk across a certain portion of the United States. Student should not touch the pedometer until the class is completed or the pedometer comes loose or falls off their waistband. At the conclusion of each class, the students will document their steps by telling Ms. Scialabba how many steps they took while she records them in a log.

Another form of technology that could be utilized in our gymnasium at Dassa McKinney could be the use of the projector, projector screen, photos or posters of diagrams or instruction. The teacher could help aid the instruction to the students by giving a short video clip or image of the correct skills. The teacher could try to find developmentally appropriate examples that the students might enjoy like a hometown sports athlete or common cartoon character demonstrating a drill. The students will be more inclined to listen and try their best if their favorite character is demonstrating the skill.

Finally, the last piece of technology used in our P.E. classes is the use of music and the loud speakers located on the stage/in the gym. Music can be used as an effective stop and start signal while the students are practicing various skills or games. The music should be used only during practice opportunities, not instructional activities or activities that require students to listen for instruction as they practice.