ICT IN PE

‘PE standards provide a roadmap for instructional practice, with technology capable of facilitating both the product and process of achieving those standards’ (Lynn, 2007)

What is ICT? Information Communication Technology refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to IT (Information Technology) but it focuses primarily on communication technology. Equipment ranges from internet, wireless networks, iPads and cameras. (Techterms.com, 2017)

ICT break down INPUT SOURCE OUTPUT SOURCE

What do you see in the classroom that is absent from the sports hall??

1 2 1: Classroom 2: Sports Hall In the classroom you can see a variety of ICT that is available. In most schools there is at least a computer available in each classroom. The sports hall however has no ICT equipment visible. There is an obvious health and safety concern but ICT prides itself on developing devices that can be small and portable like the iPad. So why can`t devices like these be used in P.E.? 1 2

Discussion I believe ICT should be available to the Physical Education Department of the School. As previously mentioned an iPad could make a huge difference to teachers and students adding a new and more current experience for both teaching and learning. Various different “apps” can be used to improve technique or quality of a particular skill e.g. “Slow-Pro” It would also allow a change in the teachers role: student autonomy in learning means that teachers no longer need to adopt a didactic approach, but gain the freedom to function increasingly as “enablers of quality learning experiences” (Somekh and Davies, 1991, p. 156)

So how about some ideas for ICT in the classroom?

The Nintendo Wii Just Dance As dance isn’t always the most desirable activity from students, “Just Dance” provides an engaging and entertaining resource. “Just Dance” a popular game on the Wii, has many varied levels to suit majority age groups. P.E. halls have large blank walls perfect for projecting a large image onto allowing all the class to see. The Nintendo Wii would be hugely beneficial within the PE hall, this would really provide a “fun” element to PE and give the students an opportunity to reflect on PE fondly. It is also an innovative way of getting students involved in activities that the school may not be able to provide due to facilities e.g. tennis.

Scoreboard / Time Keeping (iPad) This is an excellent resource for “non-participating” students. Students can still be engaged even if they forget their gear or are injured by keeping the score and time. It is essential that P.E. is accessible to everyone.

“Slow – Pro” Simple app created to record videos of players, athletes and students while participating in a sport/activity. The video recorded can be played back in slow motion, paused and edited. Still images can also be taken from the video and edited. With this app the teacher can give responsibility to the students to analyse their peers using “slow-pro”, they can go in pairs and critique each-others technique, this is also a great way to engage “Non-participants”

Team Shake 1 2 1 1 3 3 2 6 steps Explaining the app Team shake provides a fair and reliable way of making sure the same teams aren’t picked every week, the methods are shown below; If “team shake” happens to create an unbalanced team, the teacher can then simply alter it. Team Shake 6 steps Explaining the app Are you finding that your students are now coping on to your “fool proof” method of picking teams? 2 1 1 1 3 3 2 2

Those are just some simple creative ways of bringing ICT into PE, these can also be devolved into even more innovative games.

Questions we must ask ourselves as teachers when using ICT Questions we must ask ourselves as teachers when using ICT? Follow the graph if in doubt about the app you are using! Do the students like using technology in their physical education class? Are the students gaining new skills or progressing further because of these being involved? Is this app really necessary? Good job, keep up the good work and enjoy the progress. Don’t throw in the towel! But stop using that app and try another!

ICT is changing the way we live our lives everyday, we are surrounded by it so why not try to incorporate it into a lesson. Inclusion of ICT does not require the latest hi-tech equipment, use what resources you may already have that you are not aware of, be creative when designing a lesson. Remember, if the lesson doesn’t go to plan don’t worry, life is about learning and we learn from experience!! Take Home Message!

Bibliography Lynn, S. (2007). Seminar in physical education. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Somekh, B. and Davies, R. (1991) “Towards a pedagogy for information technology”, Curriculum Journal, p. 156. Techterms.com. (2017). ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Definition. [online] Available at: https://techterms.com/definition/ict [Accessed 1 Apr. 2017].