I was lost. When I think back to where I was at regarding my pedagogy, almost exactly one year ago at the start of distance learning, like many other teachers I had no idea where to begin. Perhaps PE teachers especially needed to figure out how to adjust more than anyone. Based on many conversations I've had, when the majority of people think of online PE, they imagine the teacher leading a workout and all students following along and diligently exercising on-camera. This is problematic for several reasons… For one, as much as I pride myself on my high energy-style of teaching, I do not think I can effectively make it through five workouts, one for each class, every day of the week. More importantly, requiring students to exercise on-camera is kind of an ethical grey area, and something that neither my students or I want happening. Thankfully, with the help of Touro University's Innovative Learning Master’s program, I have expanded my Teaching Pedagogical Content Knowledge, or TPACK, in such a way that my virtual PE lessons don’t have to be as one dimensional and dull as the “exercise on-camera” class. When it’s time to exercise, my students work within Edpuzzle, following Youtube workouts which I have converted to Edpuzzle videos with notes and questions for reflection. This way they can be held accountable for completing a workout without having to exercise on-camera. I have also utilized Edpuzzle not only for workouts, but for instructional videos with content from practicing good nutritional habits, to how exercise makes you a better student, and even a Ted Talk on the importance of sleep. I have also utilized virtual class time this year to focus on running and fitness applications for smartphones, from functionality to all of the benefits they can provide. Many of my students have taken advantage and shared their progress via screenshots of their data. I’m hopeful that the use of running and fitness applications will lead to more of a more passion for exercise and ultimately more active lifestyles. My lessons often direct students to work within Google suite - most commonly Google Docs and Forms. While basic elements of Google Suite such as sharing access and making copies were challenging for my students at first, I am proud of how smoothly integrated into my curriculum it all is now. The difference is like night and day from month one of this school year. Now when we have a lesson in which we view content online, such as a website with key concepts on nutrition, or a youtube video on mindfulness, completing the follow-up Google Doc or Form has become second nature for my students. Quizizz is also a favorite among my students as well, as we often use this tool as a way to review key concepts from previous lessons. All in all, I am very proud of what my PE class has become in our current hybrid model of learning. My TPACK journey has been a long one, but boy has it been worth it. I am no longer lost.
2 Comments
3/24/2021 09:18:26 pm
Oh I LOVE the idea of Ed Puzzle as a workout!!! Teaching 5th grade has shown me that they already are self aware of how they look on screen. Many students like to turn off their cameras whenever possible. The PE coaches for the elementary level should take a lesson from you! One of them shows Elmo videos. That's right, PRESCHOOL ELMO VIDEOS!!! Groan. It's really hard to encourage students to go to PE when they know they'll have to watch Elmo every time.
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Jason
4/25/2021 02:35:14 pm
We have come SO FAR in this journey— I truly am impressed with where we are at. Having said that, I am grateful summer break (from all forms of education) is near.
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About Dustin Green:High School PE Teacher Archives
March 2021
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