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Web 2.0 has allowed us, as the consumers, to be active participants in the distribution of the information that is out there. It's pretty amazing to look back and see how far we have come when it comes to communication and the internet.  I typically get intimidated when new forms of social media and technology are introduced and it takes me a while to get on board, but looking back it's hard to imagine how we functions without some of them. 
There are so many sites out there that can be useful in the classroom.  A couple from the list that I found to be interesting are Kwiqpoll and Mentor Mob.  I'm interested in using Kwiqpoll on my school website to find out more about my student's thoughts on various topics and Mentor Mob to create some exciting presentations on health and wellness. I plan to take some time experimenting with them to see if I could use them in my classes.

 
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I feel that I need to keep putting myself in my student's shoes and think of what would be the most effective way for them to receive information.  It can be tricky for physical educators to find ways to incorporate different types of technology simply because the majority of our time is spent in the gym, weight room, swimming pool, etc.  With that said, I do think incorporating things like podcasts could be a great way to gain students interest and keep them engaged. 

A few years ago I changed the way I structured my classes, incorporating interactive folders.  These are folders that I keep in my classroom that include cornell notes for each unit of instruction, weight lifting charts, diagrams of the muscles of the body, fitness testing scores, and a place for them to set personal goals throughout the semester.  Incorporating interactive folders was the best thing I've ever done for my students. They are more engaged and are able to grasp the information through a variety of ways.

The folders also allowed me to start using more technology in my classes. Once I had a structure for them to take notes, I was able to use the smart board more effectively.  Not only am I able to use the smart board to present the notes as we talk about each unit, but I can also incorporate videos (I think their favorite is the amazing badminton rally from the Olympics). They couldn't wait to get back in the gym and play after watching that.  It has also allowed me to present information from the CDC website, such as the map of obesity rates across the country over the last 25 years.  By using technology effectively I can keep them engaged without losing valuable time for them to be physically active.
 
This brings to start thinking of ways to have them use podcasts as a means of gaining information. By having them listen to podcasts on their own time it allows class time to be for more physical activity.  It might also be a great way to incorporate a class blog.  Students could be required to listen to a particular podcast and then post their reaction on the class blog. 

It's a delicate balance for physical education teachers to use technology, but when done effectively I think it can be very powerful for students. We don't want to lose the time students need to work on the physical skills they need so desperately, but we want them to leave our class gaining the knowledge to be able to live a healthy life.

 
 
As I looked at the list of 100 top tools for learning, I was surprise by how many of the top sites I already use.  I do not consider myself "tech savvy" in any way, but I felt a little proud of myself for knowing how to use so many of the top sites listed.  Several of the sites I use for work and have become more comfortable with them through trial and error.  I'm finding that when I'm forced to use technology tools at work I'm able to figure it out and eventually become more comfortable.  However, if I'm left to my own curiosity, I would rather be doing anything other than exploring news sites to use.  I'm just not naturally drawn to technology. 
 
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I've been using Pandora during my classes for a while, but I've only used in on my phone.  I plug my phone in to the stereo in the gym or weight room and play my student's favorite music (usually One Direction, unfortunately!) Their energy level doubles instantly.  I've haven't used it on my computer before, but now I'm jammin' to Journey while I"m doing my assignments and it's great!  I'm a firm believer in using music to improve anyone's mood and create a great, positive learning environment. Who doesn't love music?? 

 
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I found the article "Generation Always-On" to be very interesting.  I struggle on a daily basis with the idea that my students have such a diffent environment than I did when I was in school.  I go back and forth between seeing the positive and negaitves in the amount of technology they are exposed to.  As a physical educator and personal trainer I see mostly the negative.  I cringe at the thought of how much time kids spend sitting on thier butts, looking at a screen.

It's become more challenging to motivate students over the years because I feel like I'm constantly competing with technology.  I have a difficult time getting students, athletes, and/or clients to achieve and appreciate the gratification that a killer workout can give a person.  I want for them to feel what physically hard work can do for their self confidence, and how it carries over into the rest of their lives. 

The combination of the decreasing amount of physical education students receive and the constant stream of information they are receiving from tv, video games, and social media, creates a constant up-hill battle to instill the value of exercise.  I believe students benefit greatly from the amount of information that is available to them today, however I also want students to see the value in un-plugging from their virtual world and learn how to live in the real world.

Generation Always-On
http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=958393

 
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I had no idea something like this existed... It was fun to play around and create a photo, but I'm not sure how often I would use this.  As I try these new sites I'm learining more about what's out there and how to navigate my way around social media, which I find valuable.  I'm not a person that can sit still for any amount of time, so spending my time alteing photos is probably not in my future, but I do appreciate the value in knowing how to use these sites.

 
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I decided to use flicker, but I certainly don't feel like I have it figured out.  I'm feeling like I have a lot of pictures in a lot of differnt places now. I'm having a difficult time keeping everything straight. :)  I hope to get better with some of these sites so it won't feel like so much work.


 
The article Social Networking in Higher Education by Nicole A. Buzzeto-More is an interesting overview of how social networking has exploded in our recent history.  It emphasizes ways that we, as educators, can use that information in positive ways in our classrooms.  When I think of using of social networking in my classroom, I feel intimidated and overwhelmed.  I did not have exposure to a lot of technology being used in the classroom during my experience in higher education.  It was not a part of my undergraduate or graduate program.  My first experience with Facebook has been during this class.  I was intrigued by the information in the article because I know this is how my students are interacting now and would benefit from more technology being incorporated into their education. 

I'm not familiar with Blackboard, but the article made me want to do some research on this tool as well as others.  As stated in the article, "Blackboard is an instructor designed and managed system representing a fairly controlled environment that lends a certain formality to all behaviors occurring within the system" (p. 70). I feel this might be a manageable tool for me to consider as a way to communicate information to my students. 

Buzzeto-More states "the idea that "membership in positive social networks can help teach learners trust, tolerance, acceptance, and collaboration" (p. 66).  This caught my attention.  The idea of building student's self confidence and helping them to feel empowered is a crucial part of what I focus on in physical education.  I hadn't thought of the contribution social networking plays in developing these strengths.

As an educator, I am always trying to find new ways to reach my student and I agree that technology is an effective way to do this.  I believe, however, there needs to be a balance between using technology in the classroom and teaching through direct interactions.  I fear that our students will become more and more detached from the "real world" as they interact more through technology.  I believe we can find an effective combination that supports providing information through technology as well as fosters personal relationships.

Buzzetto-More, N. A. (2012). Social Networking in Undergraduate Education. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management7

 
The article by Williams and Jacobs (2004) is an overview of how blogging evolved and how it can be useful today in education. As I read the article I had my own classes in the back of my mind and I tried to find ways I could use blogging with my students.  The data that Williams and Jacobs (2004) cited showed that students found blogging as a useful tool in the educational process, however they were college students.  I teach junior high students, and I believe it would need to be done as a guided practice in order for it to be effective. I see blogging as a way for people to share their thoughts and opinions on various topics, which is something my students love to do.  It seems like a perfect fit.
Williams and Jacobs (2004) also emphasized the importance of recognizing the "lurker" or the person that is not actively participating in the blog.  According to WIlliams and Jacobs, "lurking is an imperative aspect of an online community and should be regarded as a form of passive or vicarious participation that not only serves to increase the understanding in the lurker, but provides a sense of belonging regardless of whether they ever intend to participate" (p 238). I feel this is an important aspect to blogging and the person reading can gain just as much from observing other peoples opinions and thoughts.  They are given the opportunity to gather information and reflect independently.
I've been familiar with the concept of blogging for a while, but have not participated.  It didn't seem like something that would be useful for me to use in my classroom.  After reading this article, I am able to see new ways that blogging could be a valuable tool I could use to enhance my teaching.

Williams, J. & Jacobs, J. (2004) Exploring blogs as learning spaces in higher education.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology
2004, 20(2), 232-247.

    Author

    I've been a physical education teacher in Minnesota for 12 years. I've been a coach for 10 years and a personal trainer for 6 years. My passion is inspiring others to fall in love with fitness the way I have throughout my life.

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