Great Ideas in PE!

Using an iPad in Physical Education

By integrating the iPad into the Physical Education classroom we are able to promote improved opportunities for student learning and create new ways of thinking about content, curriculum planning and pedagogy.  The iPad gives a more intriguing option for what can be done to enable student learning and adheres to various learning styles.  In the Physical Education class, we currently use projectors, fitness videos, the beep test, heart rate monitors and pedometers that are quickly becoming outdated.  While the current technology that we use in Physical Education are all viable resources, we believe that as technology continues to improve and update outside the classroom, it is only necessary that we continue to improve and update the technology used in Physical Education.  

Using an iPad in Physical Education would promote student engagement and motivation, including improving their confidence and attitudes toward their own learning.  The iPad allows teachers to download various apps that would improve connections across all sites of learning.  For example, with various apps, students would be able to receive instant feedback regarding various skills learned in PE.  With that instant feedback, students would be able to improve, not only their technique and skills, but their ability to self-assess based on the images of themselves that they view.  This type of self-assessment would hold students accountable for their skills performed in the classroom and thus reinforce their ability to work independently from the teacher.  Additionally, the images and videos of the students viewed on the iPad would create better communication between teacher and student, and even teacher and parent.  For example, having a video or image of a student’s particular skill could allow the teacher to give instant feedback to show the student exactly the ways they need to improve their skill or technique.  Furthermore, with the particular video or images, a teacher may be able to forward the information to a parent regarding their child’s performance, skill, and behaviour in the Physical Education class.  The use of the iPad in the class would also promote various teaching styles such as discovery learning.  For example, students would be able to participate in collaborative learning by discovering how to perform certain skills or techniques by accessing the internet on their iPad. 

The following are a list of potential apps to be used in Physical Education:

Coach’s Eye:

Coach’s Eye simply records a video of an athlete in motion, slows it down to offer feedback about form and technique.  The “coach” is able to use various graphics to show ways to improve these skills. 

Heart Rate:

Use the camera on the ipad to measure your heart rate.  The application detects how the colour of your finger changes when blood flows into it.

Sports Rules:

Perfect app for teachers, coaches and athletes for an easy reference of all popular sports and their associated rules.

Vball Stat:

Provides an impressive full statistical area to track volleyball statistics for any player. 

Easy Assessment:

Easy Assessment is the app teachers, trainers and coaches have been waiting for. A simple way to capture and assess performance in any context or situation. Experience a new level of efficiency.

RunKeeper:

Tracks how far, how long you’ve gone, what your speed/pace was, how many calories you burned, and the path you traveled on the map.

Jillian Michaels Slim Down Solution:

Personalized Jillian Michaels fitness plan with custom exercises and workouts, based on your body type and goals.

Time Motion:

TimeMotion allows you to record the activity profile of any sportsperson live during the event, or analyse an existing video stored in your photo library

Imuscle:

iMuscle is a sophisticated workout aid that can be taken anywhere. Use it to identify a body part or individual muscle by zooming into a 3-Dimensional human body with the musculature exposed. Then access all the exercises associated with the development / rehabilitation of that muscle.

Fitness Class:

Introducing FitnessClass - the only marketplace for real-time, on-demand fitness video workouts, right on your iPad. Choose from a selection of 300+ fitness classes by PumpOne and a collection of the world's elite fitness instructors with a la carte iTunes-style prices

Crossfit:

The new Crossfit App for iPad provides users the ability to track any crossfit workout to their iPad or iPad 2. Being able to track every workout will allow you and your crossfit team the ability to host competitions and track results over months or even years. Download the new Crossfit App today in the iTunes marketplace

Nike BOOM:

Nike BOOM syncs your music to your dynamic training workouts, with the world’s most elite athletes and coaches motivating you along the way. Choose your type of workout, length of training, best workout music and favorite Nike athletes—then get to work.