How to improve PE programs through technology

Implementing Technology into Physical Education Programs:

The benefits of digital fitness portfolios and digital activity trackers

By Paul Burkhead

Teenagers are not taking physical education courses and are living unhealthy lifestyles. Students can develop digital fitness portfolios, use physical activity trackers (heart rate monitors, fit bits, pedometers), and document their physical activity on a spreadsheet.

I have a strong content knowledge for health and wellness and physical education. I have taught activity based physical education for six years, and I have taught health and nutrition classes. I also have experience with technologies related to diet and fitness.

My plan is for each student to have developed a digital fitness portfolio. Each student will have used a physical activity tracker to gather data about calories burned and activity level. Next, students will transfer their data to a spreadsheet and attach it to their portfolio.

The portfolios will have data entered at the beginning of the course showing physical ability, goals or areas that need improvement, and data collected at the end of the course should show improvement. Data collected by the activity tracker will be entered on a spreadsheet and attached to the portfolio. The data should show higher levels of activity on days where students have physical education class, and show an increasing level of activity as physical ability goals are met.

The first step is to have students wear activity trackers; next will be to show students how to upload the data collected by the trackers on the computer. Use of a computer lab will be needed to upload data collected. Making sure there are enough computers for everyone is required, as well as enough supervision, also a back up plan of a video presentation in the gymnasium will be ready in case of technical difficulties in the computer lab. After the unit students can review their results at the beginning and compare them with their abilities at the end of the unit. Students should notice an improvement in their overall fitness levels and physical capabilities.

I would like to include more information on the students’ spreadsheets about nutrition. Eating healthy foods can help students attain their fitness goals much quicker. Also, I would emphasize the difference in activity levels from sport to sport, for example running versus walking, badminton compared to basketball, this way students can choose which activity will help them meet their goals.