Using Digital Listen Devices in the Curriculum (iPods, iPhones, Mp3 players, etc.)
With the proliferation of all types digital devices that are being integrated into the curriculum (some more readily than others) why should physical education stand on the side line and let this new technology slide by? Here I will concentrate on the personal listening devices that are so wide spread. In 2008 I started using the Nike+ system with my iPod Touch as a way to help in my rehab from a knee injury. While going through one of my workouts I starting thinking, "How could I use this device or one similar in my physical education classes?". So I started examining this system to see what was involved in creating a similar one for my elementary classes. As physical education instructors we notice right away our students perform on different levels, from the student that can perform every skill known to man to the student that has difficulty walking and chewing gum simultaneously and this occurs on every grade level.
Most recently the one thing that stands out and has been getting great attention is the obese student ( last on the lap, last to be picked, stand in the back, avoids participation, etc.). With my personal system in mind why not create a class within the class of independent workers. They will work on goals and objectives tailor specifically for them. My personal system (iPod Touch) has a clock application (alarm, stopwatch, timer, and world clock). It holds 8GB of information (mostly music) it has Wi-Fi, well you get the picture it does a lot.
If you are not familiar with the Nike+ concept here is a quick over view. Nike has an application that downloads to the Apple devices. There is a sensor that is designed to fit inside a particular style of shoe that Nike makes. This sensor is synced to the application much the same way you would sync your pace to a pedometer (walking/running). The application has set workout parameters such for distance, time, open and calorie count or you can set your own parameters. Music can be added to the workout, but what got me thinking was that at different intervals (1/2 mile, mile, kilometer) a recorded voice gave me feed back on my progress such as, time elapsed, time left, distance covered, distance remaining to complete that workout. Now, the system does have a significant price for me that is not a problem, but for my students this was out of the question. I did notice that many of the students did have some type of digital listen device. So I took a poll to find out how many students had them and most did or had access to one.
So the challenge was on. Creating an environment with in the class that will allow my students to become more engaged in the class. Being a "Mac Head" for more than 20 years I was very familiar with the tools needed and used for such an endeavor.
Tools used:
Garage Band
iTunes
Open Source
Audacity
Equipment needed:
Mp3 Player or similiar with download ability
From there I started collecting music from various types of genres slow, fast, medium speed, rock, pop, reggae, R&B, classical, salsa, reggaeton, rap...well you get the picture.
Using the Garage Band application I recorded voice snipets (encouragements, time left, activity skills) and saved them as audio files in the iTunes application. These musical snippets were embedded at timed intervals within the recording (10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec or longer). Once the piece was finished I archived the workout(s) on my laptop in iTunes for the students to download to their players.
The music was edited to be continuous with 25-30 lengths. There are jump rope workouts (of various lengths), 20 minute run workouts, gross motor workouts, stretching, and loco-motor movements. A discussion on copyright issues will be talked about in my blog.
Special note your class management can not be haphazard. The students must understand why you are doing this and what you expect. One rule we have is that if the earphones are in then you must be moving (we know if they are doing the workout by the movements). Also for safety sake you may want to allow only one ear piece in at a time. At the end of the workout the students record their particular workout ( number of jumps, number of laps completed, heart rate at beginning and end, etc.) in their PE portfolio.
Work Out Samples
Jump Rope
30 Seconds
1 minute
Most recently the one thing that stands out and has been getting great attention is the obese student ( last on the lap, last to be picked, stand in the back, avoids participation, etc.). With my personal system in mind why not create a class within the class of independent workers. They will work on goals and objectives tailor specifically for them. My personal system (iPod Touch) has a clock application (alarm, stopwatch, timer, and world clock). It holds 8GB of information (mostly music) it has Wi-Fi, well you get the picture it does a lot.
If you are not familiar with the Nike+ concept here is a quick over view. Nike has an application that downloads to the Apple devices. There is a sensor that is designed to fit inside a particular style of shoe that Nike makes. This sensor is synced to the application much the same way you would sync your pace to a pedometer (walking/running). The application has set workout parameters such for distance, time, open and calorie count or you can set your own parameters. Music can be added to the workout, but what got me thinking was that at different intervals (1/2 mile, mile, kilometer) a recorded voice gave me feed back on my progress such as, time elapsed, time left, distance covered, distance remaining to complete that workout. Now, the system does have a significant price for me that is not a problem, but for my students this was out of the question. I did notice that many of the students did have some type of digital listen device. So I took a poll to find out how many students had them and most did or had access to one.
So the challenge was on. Creating an environment with in the class that will allow my students to become more engaged in the class. Being a "Mac Head" for more than 20 years I was very familiar with the tools needed and used for such an endeavor.
Tools used:
Garage Band
iTunes
Open Source
Audacity
Equipment needed:
Mp3 Player or similiar with download ability
From there I started collecting music from various types of genres slow, fast, medium speed, rock, pop, reggae, R&B, classical, salsa, reggaeton, rap...well you get the picture.
Using the Garage Band application I recorded voice snipets (encouragements, time left, activity skills) and saved them as audio files in the iTunes application. These musical snippets were embedded at timed intervals within the recording (10, 15, 20, 30, 60 sec or longer). Once the piece was finished I archived the workout(s) on my laptop in iTunes for the students to download to their players.
The music was edited to be continuous with 25-30 lengths. There are jump rope workouts (of various lengths), 20 minute run workouts, gross motor workouts, stretching, and loco-motor movements. A discussion on copyright issues will be talked about in my blog.
Special note your class management can not be haphazard. The students must understand why you are doing this and what you expect. One rule we have is that if the earphones are in then you must be moving (we know if they are doing the workout by the movements). Also for safety sake you may want to allow only one ear piece in at a time. At the end of the workout the students record their particular workout ( number of jumps, number of laps completed, heart rate at beginning and end, etc.) in their PE portfolio.
Work Out Samples
Jump Rope
30 Seconds
1 minute