Thursday, September 15, 2016

Blogs in PE

Blogs are a great use of technology in physical education. This content area not only carries a physical domain, but we are also responsible for the development of cognitive and affective physical literacy. With these concepts, fitness development and health is an essential component.
When I am a teacher, I could have my students log their food intake and daily exercise routine on a personal blog. From the initial entries during the first few weeks of class, I can then have my students analyze their own behaviors: What is keeping them from making healthier choices? Who influences their choices? Can these factors be changed? How can we change them? Blogging all this information would be a great way for students to keep track of personal data. I can set it up so that only I can see what they write for confidentiality purposes. From this, I can help each student create a reachable health goal for the end of the semester. We can have blog check in weeks when I sit down individually with each student and ask if the goal was appropriate or if it needs to be changed. I could grade the students on their online blogs and whether they made appropriate goals and showed signs of progress. Even if they didn't meet their goal, the blog would show proof of effort or (lack thereof) towards a reaching goal. 
Especially in PE, goal setting can be a touchy subject because of the obesity epidemic in our country.With a blog, the goal setting experience can be more personable and meaningful to the student. They can have their own voice without knowing what other students wrote and not feel like anyone else might judge them for their comments. My students can find new appreciation of health and fitness when they meet their personal goal, which is what inspired me to want to be a part of this profession.

1 comment:

  1. Hannah, this is an excellent way of using a blog and technology! I really hope that you get a chance to implement this plan. It would be great for the students for many reasons. Good job!

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