High-Tech Physical Education

Here are my Top Ten ways to insert technology (SMARTBoards, iPads, & Chromebooks) into your physical education instruction without sacrificing a lot of activity time:

1. Video Tutorial of Skills – where historically I have used a student in class to demonstrate, now for instruction I use a self-made video tutorial on the SMARTBoard of former students performing skills. I can freeze the action and highlight key elements, as well as write on the board if necessary to emphasize technique. This makes it much easier for students to see and understand.

2. Skill / Tutorial Review – In a station format or during group work, students in grades 3 & 4 can access and re-watch video tutorials on an iPad, or manipulate the SMARTBoard, and focus on individual needs.

3. Video Rewind – While students are practicing skills, I can capture student performances on an iPad and then “beam” it to the SMARTBoard using a program called “AirServer Universal”. This allows me to identify correct skill execution for students during transition periods or activity breaks while students are resting in front of the SMARTBoard. I then redirect the class with renewed focus and energy.

4. Video Delay – In a station format, a stationary iPad on a cart captures student performances using the Live Video Delay App. After performing the skill, students return back to the cart to receive immediate feedback from the video and self-assess their skill execution. In a group setting, I can use the app to capture student performances in an authentic situation and determine if correct practice translates to proper form during game play. Then I either give feedback to the students on an iPad or on the SMARTBoard.

5. Peer Assessment - In a small group setting, students in grades 3 & 4 take turns becoming the “teacher”, record peer performance with an iPad, and give each other feedback. Now I have the opportunity to watch student skill execution, offer instruction and advice, and check for student understanding as they help each other improve.

6. Highlight Video - Student iPad recordings in grades 3 & 4 are collected and exceptional performances are blended into a “Highlight Video” at the end of the unit that gets posted on the school website with other monthly P.E. updates.

7. P.E. Open House – At our 3rd Grade P.E. open house we introduce families to how students use technology in the gymnasium. Students get to assess their parents on skill performance with an iPad and give them feedback just like with their peers in class.

8. Fitness Charting – During a fitness station unit, 3rd and 4th grade students use heart rate monitors and Chromebooks to record heart rate data after different activities. They will then fill in a spreadsheet and create a chart that displays whether or not they are in the target heart rate zone at each station.

9. Bowling – Students record the number of pins knocked down using Google Sheets on a Chromebook. Each lane has their own device, and scores are displayed in “real-time” on the SMARTBoard.

10. Activity Journals – These work best in a station format, but could also be used in a group activity. For station work, have your Chromebooks set up with Google Docs and pose a meaningful question to the students. They use the Chromebooks to answer in a complete sentence. Answers are shared at the end of the activity on the SMARTBoard. Another writing activity with Chromebooks during group play has students writing highlights about the activity while it is going on. I read the highlight material like I was an ESPN news person. I have also given a topic and had students each add a sentence to make a story, and then read it at the end of class (i.e. – “Jamie is an Olympic swimmer. When she was in 3rd grade at summer camp she…” and the story begins). It’s always interesting to see what the students come up with.

I hope this gives you some meaningful ways to insert technology into your lessons.

Variations:

Technology use can easily be modified to suit individual needs.

Teaching Suggestions/Tips:

Here is the link to some of the video tutorials I created at Mott Road Elementary:

Video Tutorials

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