PHYSICAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY

Sara Crawford - COE 503 Introduction to Qualitative Research - Dr. T. McCarty

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Nation Wide

More than 10,000 schools across the country are integrating technology into Physical Education classes (Carter, 2005).

Nation Wide A growing number of schools are embracing a new phenomenon known as "exergaming," encouraging students to exercise using video games such as Nintendo's new Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), in which players mimic dance moves on the screen, requiring constant movement. (Carter, 2005)

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Sample of Dance Dance Revolution

QuickTime™ and ampeg4 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Purpose

Several schools in the Coldwater School District (pseudonym) are utilizing technology in the Physical Education departments to help increase physically activity and assist in their health and wellness education.

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Purpose This mini-qualitative research study will examine teacher perceptions on if and how technology has enhanced their physical education curriculum.

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Facts & Rational

Many health and fitness habits begin when children are between the ages of 5 and 6, and also during adolescence (Burwinkle, Schwimmer, & Varni, 2003).

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Facts & Rational

Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 % chance of becoming an obese adult (Burwinkle, et al., 2003)

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Facts & Rational

Increased weight can impact a child’s cognitive, physical, psychological, behavioral, and social health (Murna, Price, Telljohann, Dake, & Boardly, 2006).

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Short-Term Effects of Obesity

Short-term effects include depression, peer rejection, low self-esteem, and even discrimination (Murna et al., 2006).

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Long-term Effects of Obesity

Long-term effects may include,

development of type 2 diabetes, asthma, heart

disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and obesity

in adulthood (Murna et al.,

2006). 11

cross-sectional appeal

PE Technology

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gapA great deal of research has been conducted in the area of school nutrition, exercise habits of school-aged children, and the impact of several different intervention programs for overweight children (Flores, Gbarayor, Shaya, Wang, 2008).

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Gap

However, further research should be conducted in the area school-based technology’s effect on children’s wellness.

With the increase of technology in the 21st century, and the rise of childhood obesity, it seems that the fusion of these two topics could benefit our students

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Significance

The implications of this research study could be the discovery of a method that students will respond to regarding health and wellness.

If it seems to be true that students acquire improved health habits through the use of technology then, it could be considered a meaningful avenue for instruction.

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potential bias•Researcher realizes her bias towards subject may alter the interpretation of observations

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Bias

Methods

Interviews & Observations

Two Schools

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Why interview & observe?

We interview and observe to provide

access to understanding

actions and generate rich

descriptive data

(Seidman, 2006 &

Rossman & Rallis, 2003)

An unclear picture

A great deal of research is done on

schooling in the United States, yet few studies focus on the

perspectives of individuals whose

collective experiences constitutes schooling

(Seidman, 2005).

SchoolsLocated in an urban area of Arizona

The demographics in this district:

Hispanic: 90%White: 4.6%Native American: 1.1%Asian: 0.4%

87 % of students receive free or reduced lunch

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interviews

Purpose:

Discover the physical educations teachers’ perceptions of the impact that technology has had on their students’ attitudes toward physical activity

Questions:

21 questions

Recorded with an iPod using an external microphone attachment

45 to 60 minutes in length

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Interview

Used a combined & condensed method to interview

Seidman’s 3 -Interview Series

Rossman & Rallis’ approach & procedures for conducting interviews

•Introduction•Body•Summary & Closure

1st portion of Interview

Focused Life HistoryQuestions centered around the context of participants experiences

2nd portion of interview

Specific questions relating to technology and instruction

Allowed for reflection on the meaning of the study

Ex: What is your perception on the effect that technology has on Physical Education instruction?

ObservationsObserve the response to technology-based instruction from students.

Observe the percentage of active engagement of students.

Observe types of technology based instruction

45 minute observations

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Progress on study

Both interviews have been conducted

One classroom observation has been conducted

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Data Gathered

Technology used in PE at two schools include:

Play Station Palm Pilot

Eye Toy ACTIVboard

Digital Video Recording Pedometers

Heart Rate Monitors Basketball Program

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Data Gathered

Both teachers interviewed have experienced an increase in student engagement with the use of technology

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Data Gathered

Using technology in physical education allows for delivery of instruction through different modalities:

Kinesthetic

Visual

Hands -Ons

Data Gathered

Both teachers are aware of the statistics relating to the rates of childhood obesity

Data Gathered

Observation: Level of engagement = 100%

data gathered“PE and life has changed so much over the years. We need to take advantage of whatever we can to create that lifetime excitement about being active” Teacher 2

WII Sports Fitness ExperimentIn this research Mickey DeLorenzo wanted to investigate whether engaging in daily active gaming with a Nintendo Wii would have an impact on his health and fitness.

A Physical Education teacher says...

"I think fitness and health will have resurgence in importance as people realize that their kids need to learn how to live healthy lives. If kids are going to be spending a lot of time on the computer playing games, chatting online or surfing the Internet, they may as well use technology to help their exercise plan as well." (Myers, 2005)