Integrating the NETS into Physical Education

Title: Integrating the NETS into Physical Education
Author: Bonnie Mohnsen

This article is a compilation of 5 pages of activities that can be done to input the NETS standards into physical education. Some of these include learning how to use a pedometer, software to understand movement concepts, computer games to illustrate motor skill performance, wearing heart monitors while exercising. Most people when they think of technology, they think of only computers. There are MANY other things that involve technology like pedometers, heart monitors, stop watches, video recorders, etc. I believe that incorporating technology into PE is a great idea. Not only does it introduce the kids to technology while keeping them physically fit, but it gives the students who are not that into PE a chance to gain interest in the form of technological activities. Before reading this article I had no idea what kinds of things could be done to incorporate these standards into PE but now I see that a little creativity goes a long way in planning lesson plans for these students.

Q1: What is an activity I can do after the kids have PE class with their PE teacher?
A1: I think an important aspect of physical education is showing the students how important exercise really is. I think that if they see their home room teacher interested in PE as well as their PE teacher, it will show them that being physical is a daily part of life, not just something that happens for an hour at school. I think a good activity would be to start a blog or subscribe to a website where the students can log their physical activity hours and talk about them. I think there could be some kind of reward for the students who have the most time logged. This would encourage all the kids to participate hopefully on a daily basis outside of school in physical activities.

Q2: If I had to take over a PE class because of funding (not able to hire actual PE teachers), what physical activity would I do?
A2: I really like the ideas of pedometers and heart monitors. I think that you could split the class in half and have some of the kids use the pedometer to see how far a certain distance is or to walk around the playground to see how many steps it takes. Students get really interested in activities where you can find something out by doing something other than counting in your head. The technology part is what would stimulate them to get involved. I think the rest of the class could use the heart monitors and do a range of activities to see their heart rate: skipping, running, walking, jogging, jumping rope, sitting, standing, etc. Again I think the issue of involving technology would increase their interest a great deal.