Wii Me : Using Technology in the Physical Education Classroom

AJ Beard – Rice University

NIRSA Annual Conference 2009

Educational Background Electrical and computer engineering

Anthropology

Former collegiate athlete

Professional Interests Utilizing technology to improve information delivery

Exercise technique instruction

Fitness program development

Current Activities Assistant director for fitness

Lifetime physical activity program instructor

Graduate student in motor behavior

Part of Rice University curriculum requirement since 1912

2 courses required of all students for graduation

Repeatable for credit

Over 40 courses of instruction

Sports

Nutrition

Mind and body

Instructor freedom for curriculum development

Nintendo releasing a new gaming console completely unlike others

Challenge was there to software developers and educators alike

Exercise with game-based reward

Exercise progress and fitness parameter tracking

Personalized instruction and feedback

Lifetime fitness with fun

Students will:

Learn to develop exercise programs utilizing technology such as gaming consoles and online tools.

Obtain knowledge of the health implications of physical activity, physical fitness and nutrition.

Become familiar with a variety of exercise programs.

Improve their current level of physical fitness.

Important to structure learning around:

Body Composition

Cardiorespiratory fitness

Muscular Endurance

Muscular Strength

Flexibility

Game involved self-imposed goal setting

Intrinsic competition

Extrinsic competition

Improving scores on fitness tests

Accountability

Online eating/activity tracking

Course assignments and discussion (OwlSpace)

The Nintendo Wii

•FitDay•http://www.fitday.com

•The Daily Plate•http://www.thedailyplate.com

•USDA

•http://mypyramid.gov

Students tracked their food intake

What comprised their food

Estimated portions

Received feedback

Manage Assignments Students submit Weekly journals

Midterm assignments

Discussion

Instructor feedback on submissions

Knowledge Transfer Handouts/reference material

Sample workouts

Class Administration Surveys

Announcements

Wii Console

Wii Fit Game

Wii Sports

Wii Balance Board

A/V Cart

TV

Wii

Wii Balance Board

Mat

Wii motes

Resistance bands

Dumbbells

Started with an idea Teach standard fitness principles, exercises, and

program design using video games and online tools

Make exercise more ‘fun’

Did it work in the classroom? Student learning assessed via Midterm and final exercise programs

Weekly journals

Exercise execution without the Wii

Final exam

Student feedback

Course evaluations indicated students:

Enjoyed being able to play games and get credit

Would liked to have done more off the board

Appreciated freedom to choose exercises

Assignments showed students learned:

What comprised complete fitness programs

Exercise names

Major muscle names

How to make changes in their fitness level

Internal Grants

Rice University - Brown Teaching Grant

NIH Grants

Fundraising

Nintendo of America

Virginia Public Schools

Elementary and middle schools

Dance Dance Revolution

University of California – Santa Barbara

Dance Dance Revolution

Behavior modification (fitness and nutrition)

Achievement of improved fitness

Increased awareness of body

Critical application of knowledge to personal lives

Included at least 2x week of activity

Playing the Wii

Backup Slides

Aims of the Class

Teach basic fitness principles for lifelong health

Appeal to a technology-focused group of students

Use tools available (OwlSpace, Wii, FitDay)

Format

Teaching with lecture (handouts, practical demos)

Practical use of OwlSpace, Wii, FitDay

In-class competitions. personal goal-setting

Novel approach to physical activity instruction

Technology already in most students’ lives

Easy to learn to use

Closely parallels activities needed to achieve fitness and health goals