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www.edtechnology.co.uk | T: @Educ_Technology
been fused with sports both on and off the fi eld and, due to the explosive growth of mobile technology, sports analysis applications have now become more aff ordable and accessible to the everyday user. As a result, PE teachers are capitalising on this availability and looking to mobile technology solutions to enhance class time with pupils. The 2012 Olympic Games and the
2014 Commonwealth Games, where technology was used by coaches and athletes for technique analysis and fi eld notes, reinvigorated the nation’s love for sport. According to Atos, for the fi rst time ever, commentators used touchscreen technology during each and every event at the Olympic Games which meant real-time results were being delivered at high speed. These worldwide sporting events also
provided teachers with an opportunity to fuel students’ engagement with sport. With similar high-quality technology analysis now within reach for all, what bet er way to encourage students than to give them the chance to imitate their favourite sporting stars by using similar software applications and devices?
Keeping fi t using mobile PE is a subject that provides a number of invaluable life lessons for children, helping to shape them as individuals; however it also has a dreaded reputation amongst those who are less athletic. Lessons are arguably far easier to learn when they’re fun and interactive, so bringing technology into the sports environment could provide a bridge between promoting health and fi tness in schools and simultaneously connecting with the ‘YouTube’ generation. According to the Offi ce for National
Statistics, 94% of 16–24-year-olds in the UK are constantly connected to the internet while on the go through a mobile phone or smart device, making such technology the perfect way to increase educational engagement. Simultaneously, the use of health
applications has increased in 2014. According to Flurry, whilst the overall mobile app industry grew 115% in terms of average daily usage in 2013, the health and fi tness category only grew 49%. This year there has been a change in the air. According to the company, of the 6,800 iPhone and iPad apps listed in the health and fi tness category on their own platform, there has been an impressive 62% increase in usage over the past six months.
Whilst this increase has
been driven by users of all ages, the popularity and benefi t of fi tness apps has begun to make an impact in the education industry. Mark Bulmer, a PE teacher at Rosset School, North Yorkshire, has been using digital technology tools to aid learning on the fi eld. As a digitally savvy
educator who is incorporating web and mobile technology into his class regimen, Mark believes in reaching his students in ways that extend beyond their face-to- face interactions, making them active participants rather than passive receivers. Rosset is a large school with
Techsmith’s Ryan Eash helps educators learn how to
use products successfully; through video tutorials, webinars and in-person training. He loves
get ing to work with teachers and sharing how software can help make a diff erence in their classrooms.
skills through seeing what’s going well and what’s not.” Coach’s Eye provided
Mark with the ability to teach on the fi eld using his iPhone 3GS and he then provided feedback to students on a larger computer screen or laptop at the end of the lesson through
the use of Dropbox. This has proved a key teaching tool, which allows for an excellent plenary at the end of the lesson and assists with future lesson planning. In
particular, his method of using the app has
helped students with their theoretical course work
from GSCE to A-Levels, where
analysing performance is a key element. Similarly, Jon Tait, Deputy
approximately 1,500 students from ages 11–19 years old. Rosset prides itself on Assessment for Learning (AFL) and is using cut ing-edge technology to engage and inspire students. Teaching staff are dedicated to the use of Twit er and Real Smart (visual learning environment) for teaching and homework in addition to other technological tools, with future developments in the pipeline for iPads in the classroom. Mark uses a mobile instant video
analysis tool, Coach's Eye, that is both inexpensive and easy to use when making on-the-fi eld video that can be immediately made available for analysis by all the students in his classroom. The video analysis tool is helping Mark to engage students and provide the opportunity for his students to peer assess, discuss strengths and areas for development in sporting performance. He began using the app during a rugby lesson where he taught the key concepts of outwit ing his class’s opponents. According to Mark: “All classes seem
very keen to use the app and a lot of students have even downloaded it on their own phones. Students are keen to receive constructive feedback and understand their own performance through fi lming and watching. This has helped me create a teaching environment where students can take constructive criticism and aim to improve their sporting performance in a positive set ing. I feel students are more aware of how they can improve their
Headteacher at Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough, has writ en about Flipped Learning in the PE classroom extensively. Flipped learning invites students to learn the subject theory ahead of the lesson to then focus on the practical aspects during class hours. He states: "Historically the only real piece of equipment a PE teacher had to provide feedback on the fi eld was a whistle and their voice." Now, with mobile tools available, it makes perfect sense to also have video feedback as part of the learning cycle for students. Jon began by using Coach’s Eye on
a school iPad to fi lm practice and games, and then turning the fi lm into instant-replay style videos for his athletes. As the project evolved, he encouraged the athletes to fi lm one another during practice sessions to provide feedback. In essence, mobile technology allowed Jon to multiply himself and make each practice more productive. Jon is now looking at other ways to use instant-feedback methods in areas outside of sport. The rise of mobile devices and
the creation of fi tness apps have spawned a new and interesting off ering for instructors and educators to help reenergise students in health and fi tness. As this kind of digital technology can be used anytime, anywhere, teachers can help students to both learn the theoretical, not necessarily in the classroom, and perfect their techniques and overall performance. ET
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Dreamstime.com
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