Integrating Technology Lesson Plan - Research Paper Example

Insert Insert Insert 6 February Integrating Technology Lesson Plan into Middle School Physical Education Class Introduction Physical Education (PE) constitutes one of the most fundamental lessons for students in the school curriculum. However, activities relating to PE remain a forgotten concept of both learning as well as wholesome physical, mental, social, and emotional development of the human person when schools become closed. This lesson plan integrates the use of electronic or digital bulletin boards into a middle class non-traditional curriculum of PE during off school hours with the aim of stimulating collaboration and stimulation among students. The Weekend Warrior program would be implemented for Grades six to eight of C. W. Woodbury Middle School (2012). The integration of digital bulletin boards would be directed towards engaging the requirements and objectives of International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for technological competencies in students. Moreover, students earn points while undertaking physical activities of their choice and interest, which adds up to their overall performance. Hence, higher order skills remain essential in providing students the opportunity to live productive lifestyles and learn effectively in the increasingly digital world and evolving global society. In the end, integration of technological competencies into PE class activities makes a difference through the mastery of essential skills for becoming productive adults in society. Rationale for the project The incorporation of technology competencies remains increasingly significant for students preparing to live, work and contribute to the social material of the society according to ISTE (2007) objectives. Firstly, the course objectives would be to stimulate collaboration and cohesiveness in students during off school hours. Secondly, to enable students communicate through digital means in arranging and informing other students of group workout schedules, personal reflections, and positive feedback. Thirdly, to enhance the ability of students to stay connected along with possessing various ideas in fulfilling the ‘Weekend Warrior’ program or take home PE sessions. Lastly, to engage the requirements of the National Education Technology Standards for Students on Collaboration and Communication in integrating appropriate technology competencies under ISTE guidelines. Furthermore, these course objectives would respond to the identified needs based on technology standards such as the need to acquire and develop higher order skills, personal reflection, sense of community and collaboration. These needs would be fulfilled beyond the normal PE classroom activities as outlined in the lesson plans. The integration of the Weekend Warrior program or take home PE activities remains reflective of how technology could be incorporated into the Grades six to eight PE class. By having weekend based activities posted on the digital bulletin board, students would fulfill weekend activities requirements as well as stay engaged with their communities. The digital bulletin board also provides opportunities through which students would interact with each other and participate in their preferred or favorite PE activities during the weekend. For instance, a nature hike, group skateboard and bike ride would constitute the range of physical activities a student may engage in during the weekend. In this regard, the Weekend Warrior program would have helped merge PE and technology in achieving course objectives. Concerning special needs consideration, the PE instructor would provide written instructions for the student’s aide (preferably a fellow student in the same grade) in order to have full awareness and be able to help the student achieve the desired outcomes of the PE Weekend Warrior program. These students would be assisted by means of accelerating their learning process and not performing the activities on their behalf. In this way, students with special needs would learn to depend on themselves in PE activities and only seek for help where face with challenges or difficulties. The rationale for this projects also takes into the account the diverse ethnic connections present within Woodbury Middle School. The school’s total enrollment stands at 872 with Hispanics and Whites as the majority populations comprising 59.5% and 24.4% respectively of the total enrollment. Other cultures include Blacks, Multi race, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and the Alaskan natives. The PE project would foster social interaction between students from these diverse cultural backgrounds in creating unity and acceptance of each other both in class activities and in the community. Through engaging in the different physical activities, students would share their cultural activities in relation to the PE objectives and intended outcomes thus gaining knowledge of physical activities upheld by different cultures. In this manner, students would learn to appreciate other students’ cultural practices capable of enhancing mastery of skills and social interaction between them. In the end, the incorporation of diverse cultural physical activities would contribute significantly to the school’s mission statement in enabling students to become productive adults in both school and the community. Activity description The setup and complete operation of the Weekend Warrior program utilizes a free online electronic only web tool, Linoit.com (2012). Every weekend, the Physical Education Instructor or Advocate would select a theme as an area of focus (and not an activity) on which students would post their comments on the subject matter using the students’ note platform available on Linoit.com. The selected theme for the weekend would correspond to the topic learnt in class during the week, now to be put into physical application or practice. It remains mandatory for every student to contribute a note to the digital bulletin board after completing his or her weekend PE activities. Students must also post a comment on not less than one other student’s note on the board. A point awarding system generates points for each student on each successfully completed PE activity. The awarding of points would also be based on the achievement of the set specific objectives for the weekend’s theme. Either students have the freedom to participate as an individual or a group in any physical activity carried out during the weekend. Not all weekend PE based activities require invitation of any form in order for a student to participate in a group activity setup in designated locations. Whenever possible, students may opt to be accompanied by a neighbor, friend, or family member in order to teach them how to measure and calculate their own heart rates. This would enable the accompanying person to gain an understanding on the importance and benefits of a moderate level regular exercise in relation to an individual’s normal growth and development. In addition, special needs consideration include fellow students assisting students with special needs to help with carrying out the physical activities, related tasks as well as posting the student’s note on the board on their behalf in the case of the visually impaired. In such instances, the PE instructor would provide all instructions in written form to the student aides in helping guide these students undertake the physical activities without difficulties. For purposes of illustration, a step by step procedure for last weekend’s PE activities would be provided. The ‘heart rate’ mechanism became the selected theme for last weekend’s project. The objective would be for students to be aware of their bodily reactions when their heart rate stays at maximum, increased, and resting periods. Students demonstrated a willingness and readiness to undertake the weekend physical activity of their own choice following the weeklong teaching and learning classroom sessions. Specific aspects of the activities to be included on the board’s students note platform at Linoit.com included the activity undertaken, the duration of PE session and the point at which the heart rate became recorded during the activity. Pulse rate could be measured through various methods, not limited to, manually counting the pulses for ten seconds thereafter multiplying the resultant number by six. Alternatively, a student could use a properly calibrated heart rate grip with accurate readings on stationary equipment or an attachable heart rate monitor with a display watch. Point to note would be that the maximum heart rate becomes the difference between 220 and the student’s age. During exercise, students may also engage in other activities simultaneously such as engaging in a conversation (Discovery Fit & Health, 2012). Evaluation The overall evaluation of the PE Weekend Warrior program proved a success and a motivator from the overwhelming positive feedback received. Through reading and posting comments on other student’s notes, students became familiar with the various types of physical activities that they engaged in during their Weekend Warrior assignments and also apply in real life leisure activities with others in society. Students indicated their preference and approval towards the online-based take home PE assignment. The level of collaboration and cohesiveness achieved provided the incentive to future PE courses. Students’ feedback on the use of the digital bulletin board reveals how technology impacts positively on PE activities outside the classroom lesson and how they appreciate the skills acquired on technological competencies in relation to real world phenomena. Engaging in group or family physical activities during the weekends enhanced social interaction between students regardless of their cultural connections. Requests also emerged form students on assignments that may be undertake during the week, before or after school and during the long vacations in order to earn extra credits for their grades. This indicates the student’s readiness and motivation to learn more not only as a school requirement to pass their grades but also to carry through life the skills acquired from PE programs. In addition, students with special needs showed appreciation for the PE Weekend Warrior learning program as it helped them to gain knowledge and skills necessary for their growth and development along class work. Similarly, average students learned to appreciate and care for students with special needs as well as other persons with such disabilities in the community in helping them live healthy lifestyles. Conclusion The Weekend Warrior PE project attained the school’s mission statement that seeks to provide all students with instruction in mastering skills essential to becoming productive individuals in the community. A post reflection on the integration of technology into this project includes a revived and renewed acceptance of the digital age and the significant role it plays in the PE class. Indeed incorporating technology into the PE class activities makes a difference not only to the students but also to the PE advocate and the surrounding community in general. References C. W. Woodbury Middle School. (2012). Department of Education. Retrieved from http://schools.ccsd.net/woodbury/ Discovery Fit & Health. (2012). Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseasesconditions/cardiovascular/cholesterol/target heart-rate.htm International Society for Technology in Education. (2007). National Education Technology Standards for Students (2nd edition). Interntl Soc Tech Educ. Linoit.com (2012). Retrieved from http://en.linoit.com/ Read More