Heart Rate Monitros In PE

Here is an example of a typical heart rate monitor.  I discussed before about these in my first post and how teachers are now starting to use these in Physical Education classes.  They can give the teachers and students many benefits.

Technology in PE classes

I found a website that is doing research on technology in Physical Education classrooms.  They have been researching many topics, and have quite a bit of information.  I am surprised as to how much technology is actually in the gym classes.  The study showed that more than 10,000 schools across the country are integrating technology into Physical Education classes. I figured this number would be way lower than this.  I didn't really expect the number to be any where close to this. I honestly didn't figure this many teachers would integrate the technology into their PE classes.  They are doing a lot of this by encouraging their students to use video games to exercise.  With systems like the WII and the Kinect it makes it easier for them to do so.  Why not have your students exercise and play video games?  They are going to play them regardless so you might as well make it use full to them.  The teachers think that the technology is helping to enhance their curriculum.  With the rise of obesity and all the technology advances it only makes sense to join the two together to try and beat obesity.  This is especially true for the younger kids.  Some teachers are also using ipods and music devices in their classrooms.  This can help motivate and get the kids moving to stay physically active.  Another technology I have personally seen in the class is the microphone.  For larger classes the teacher has more control and the students can clearly understand the teacher.  Also the gym is a big place and it can sometimes be hard to hear from one end to the other, the teacher could lose their voice if they had to shout every class period of every day.

Monitors in PE Classrooms

There is talk of using Heart rate monitors and pedometers in Physical Education classroom.  Also teachers could use digiwalkers or even combination monitors that monitor several different things. Teachers would actually have proof of why students got the grades they did this way instead of just using their attendance, and the teachers observation.  These monitors would also be a motivator for students because they would know the teacher is tracking them and would look at them after each class.  This is a great way to use technology in the gymnasium.  Just like a lot of technology, this could help make the teachers job easier.  This would also make the class room run smoother and more efficient.  The students would know what is expected of them and would almost be forced to participate rather than play the hiding game from the teacher.  It also shows the student how active they really are.  They could also set goals and they would be easy to be monitored.  Students also like technology and would think it would be fun to wear the monitors and look forward to class more than just regular old gym class. I have actually used the HR monitors in a class and they actually worked and we logged all of our information. They were good supporting evidence for our teachers and they did use this for part of our grade.  Teachers now could even easily print out the information so the students are responsible for nothing.  I believe this would be a good way to monitor students other than observation and attendance. I would still use that as part of a grade, but this would allow for another part of the students grade.  It gives the teacher supporting information and proof if they are questioned by a parent or someone.