Scavenger Hunt: Mobile Adventure Walks - K. Arnold

Scavenger Hunt by Kimberly Arnold

My last teaching experience for Basics of Effective Instruction in Physical Education course has come to a close. The experience, however challenging it was for me, revealed my potential. It was a great learning opportunity. As I reflect back, there were both positive and negative outcomes. I know that I have come a long way from that four-minute skill-teaching lab at the beginning of the semester and yet I there are still mountains in the distance. I can see that I have developed a certain confidence talking in front of a group that I never had. However, I still need to be careful with my words, as at times I'm less than precise with my words.

This last lab gave me a change to be creative and original. I believe that some of the components really enhanced the experience for my classmates. I presented them with a Challenge By Choice in which they would link up with classmates during the scavenger hunt. This forced every last person to work together and cooperation with each other. I would do something similar to this again, however I might use a Hula Hoop instead and have only two or three people in a group. Either way, the concept lends itself to a true cooperative learning experience. Additionally, I started the class with two different lead in activities.  I felt that both activities were necessary to begin to establish the working climate between students. They quickly played a game of Blog Tag and then I had groups work their way through three stations to introduce the topic of the scavenger hunt (the harmful effects of cigarette smoking). The class did the final station together. FYI, I had planned to do all the station in groups but I rotated the groups incorrectly. Nonetheless, I was glad that I goofed up because I think that the last station activities created a fun and spontaneous atmosphere.

However, there were a few near fatal flaws in my teaching. First, I failed to provide students will emergency contact information. Since one group was on their one during half the class, I should have given contact numbers if there were any problems. Second, I planned to do the first pinpoint location on the Mobile Adventure Walks App together. 

This would have allowed me to make sure that each group took a different route. In addition, at that time I knew that had to give them cues on how best to work the app. I should have address how to determine their next destination. This mistake did cause some hiccups. Also, I never told the students who were the acting touring guides to read the question aloud as they reached each location. Futhermore, I should have better explained what they were looking for and what they were to do at each location (take an index card and leave the item in the container). All of those glitches could have been avoid had I remember to complete the first location together.

Another significant problem of my lesson was that I gave them too many tasks to complete while the hunt was in progress. I asked them upload pictures to Twitter, complete a worksheet, and create a jingle. Looking back I probably should have left the assignment to the end of class as a take home assignment. They had too many things in their hands.

On the other hand, many qualities about my lesson were strong. My lesson was structured to educate the participants, learning through the physical, as my professor says. It was not just a simple scavenger hunt but rather a means to have student begin to understand their own health as it relates to personal decisions and smoking cigarettes. It is this concept that inspired me. If you don’t already know, I currently work in the healthcare field. The reason for my transition into Physical Education is largely due all that I have witness in my career. Physical Education can’t just be about promoting athletes and good PACER scores, but must be about teaching children the ways in which to develop and maintain their own personal health. This is vital; so that future generations will not continue to experience the same health aliments that are facing our nation now.

Resource Packet
Tobacco Information
Assignment to Assess Leaning
Behavior Management
C-12 Form
Transcription
Time Coding
Superintendent


My Blog
Professional E-Portfolio

Great news, my bulletin board was accepted and published by PE Central's Bulletin Board section. Check out the link to my published bulletin board PEC: Bulletin Boards for Physical Education

iDance! Lab D with Ms. Paulsen!

My Lab D finally arrived & I enjoyed the lesson as much as my students did!! The setting of my class was that they were at a 12th grade level and I had to implement practice into my lesson. With this in mind I wanted the first few songs to be strictly practice based and have the students go for high percentage completed! 

Since my lesson took place at 9am I wanted to get everyone moving & energized so we started right away! The students did a warm-up song and then moved into the next few songs of practicing for high percentages! 

One thing I believe I did really well this lesson was making sure everyone was on task, gave great congruent feedback, and also made sure the students understood what they were supposed to be doing through out the lesson! I made it a priority to give my students great feedback so they could perform to their potential and know that they were performing the songs successfully!

Keeping the class organized and on task was something I believe I did very well during my lesson. 

I made sure to check if there were any questions before starting a new task and made sure everyone was prepared prior to the start of each song. Below are some pictures showing how I had the students situated. With a high noise level it was key to keep the classroom and students organized & on task! 

Another thing I did well was give my students a challenge and also let them work together in pairs. The challenge and group songs allowed all students to be on an even playing field and no matter what skill level each student possessed they were all equal for these two songs.

Some things I think I could have done differently or work on for future are that in the beginning of the lesson I had the student who got the highest % write their initials and score on the board. Originally I planned it to be for the 12th graders to have friendly competition and hopefully motivate them to perform better. But this can exclude some students which is a very negative outcome. To correct this I should have each student write their % on the board, that way each student can try to beat their own score. This way they are not competing against their classmates and students are way less likely to be excluded. 

To end the lesson I called everyone in and gave them a FITT information handout which had information, examples, definitions, and a short homework assignment. Due to time constraints, the handout made it possible to quickly cover a topic and give the students information to learn the topic on their own. This handout would be used as part assessment for this unit as well.

Overall this lesson as made me grown as a future teacher immensely. I learned a lot through my successes, trials, and failures. I received feedback from my peers, experienced new things through technology, and expanded my physical education knowledge as a whole. My students experienced growth & success which is key to any physical education class and is what I strive to do everyday!!! 

Lab D was a success & I am moving right along to become the great teacher I want to be!! Below is a slideshow of more pictures from my lesson, be sure to take a look!!

Here are videos I & II of my Lab D Lesson!

To view my documents please feel free to click the links below:

Time Coding Form click - HERE

Complete Lab D Unit Packet - Here

Below is my C12 Evaluation Form!

As part of my Lab D Unit I also had to put together picture and video instructions of how to put together and use the iDance system! You can view them by clicking here and watching the video below: 

Below is the video of the instructions made by my partner, Max Stern!

To finish off my Lab D experience we completed our iDance bulletin board!

Thanks for viewing!

You can view my blog at SP-PE.blogspot

Follow me on Twitter: @SPaulsen_PE

View my Professional Portfolio by clicking here!

ExerGame Workshop at AAHPERD 2012 Rocked

We had a great morning with all the presenters and attendees discovering the many faces of exergaming and ways to implement them into any curriculum to accomplish your intended learning outcomes (specific learning outcomes/ objectives) which should be the main focus of any lesson/unit plan.

From no or little technology or to full blown exergaming systems, our star-studded cast of presenters helped attendees to feel the difference when some form of technology is used appropriately.

A special thank you to the teacher-candidates and student-teachers from SUNY Cortland who came a day earlier than the rest of the gang to help lead games, give suggestions for using technology, and be so supportive of all the presenters. They're already talking about making North Carolina in 2013 even better!

Helping out this morning were student-teachers Ben Paquette & Andy Snide; and teacher-candidates Anthony DiRienzo, Sunnie Biffarella, TJ Toteno, Steve Miner, Pat Kaplan, & Dave Sommer. One of the greatest benefits was interacting with attendees who are teachers and athletic-directors from Missouri, Mass, NY, Guam, Puerto Rico, Washington, Kentucky, Canada, .....basically all over the world. And if you ask some of them, some of them were even discussing JOB OPPORTUNITIES for next fall all over the country. You never know who you're going to meet when you're networking at these conferences...but you'll never experience it until you get yourself to a conference. Hint Hint!

Exergame Workshop at AAHPERD 2012 (preview)

PE Exergame Workshop @ Bull Sox Academy

PE Exergame Workshop @ Bull Sox Academy

We are all super excited to be participating in the 1st PE Exergame Workshop to the Phil Lawler (DuPage County) PE Institute Day (Naperville, IL) on March 2, 2012.

Hoping one day to have a similar conference at SUNY Cortland in the near future!

Lots of great people in a top notch facility for sports and exergaming (Bulls/Sox Academy)

Presenters Include

· Dan Lawler, Ph. D. - Retired Principal

· Stephen P. Yang, Ph. D.-ABD - SUNY Cortland

· Lisa Witherspoon, Ph. D. – University of South Florida

· Ernie Medina, Jr., Dr. PH, CHFS – Preventative Medicine Specialist

· George Velarde – California Physical Educator of the Year

· Sharon Warren – Polar Electro Education

· Dave Kurland – Chicago Bulls Director

Purpose: Professional Development / Exergame Education Workshop for PE teachers, Administrators, Superintendants. School and After-School programs. Non-Profits. Foundations.

Description: This Professional Development / Exergame Education Workshop shows you the exciting possibilities of how using technology, combined with games and physical activity, can enhance and enrich the lives of generations.

The workshop will be located at the state-of-the-art Chicago Bulls Sox Training Academy in Lisle, IL, featuring the best Exergaming / Active Game facility in the world.

Teachers who attend the pre-conference will hear information from leaders in the field about how ExerGaming can help educators to be even more effective in reaching our youth. Participants will find this full-day ExerGaming pre-conference fun, educational, and invaluable in helping to promote high-quality physical education and physical activity to maximize the educational experience.

Topics include:

· Medical view on how a sedentary lifestyle is impacting our children with life-long disease.

· A successful School and Community Model overview, showing results of improved academics, improved disciplinary incidents, and improved health and fitness scores.

· Implementing Technology and Exergaming in your facility. Putting knowledge into practice.

· How do we prove it is working? Using technology to revolutionize physical education.

· Time in vs. Time Out. Help students with ADHD and other behavior issues decrease impulsivity and improve learning. Explains the physiology of the attention system.

· Quality teaching in a Physical Education setting, which meets the NASP standards and promotes lifelong fitness.

Experts Rate “Exergames” for Consumers

(Cross-posted via The Exergame Network)

Exergaming (Active Gaming) combines video games and exercise to provide a physically challenging but enjoyable experience. Traditionally, laboratory tests have been used to determine exertion levels and mainstream journalists review and rate a game’s game-play.

The Exergame Network (TEN) has created a next generation rating system which is ready for world wide release. TEN’s ratings system evaluates the holistic experience of an exergame in it’s Exergaming Experience Rating System (EERS)

TEN is a non-affliated, non-profit games for health exergaming advocacy. Its website portal is http://www.exergamenetwork.org/. TEN represents an international collaboration of dedicated health and fitness practitioners, exergame developers, researchers and clinicians, wellness entrepreneurs, all devoted to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through exergaming.

The peer-reviewed EERS results have been compiled by a panel of world renowned exergaming experts. The system used to rate the exergame experience has taken a collaboration of over 12 months, driven by the previous lack of real world consumer information into the genre.

Exergames are not only scored on exercise and game play, including the physical interface between the two, but also on the interaction of seven further attributes including sustainability and intervention capacity. Six popular video games with an exercise component have been scored in the first results, including Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), Eyetoy Kinetic, Wii Sports, EA Sports Active and Rockband.

"With so many different games available on the market, a rating system for exergames like the EERS by TEN, is a welcome tool for healthcare practitioners trying to help their patients make the most appropriate choices for their families." says TEN contributor Dr Ernie Medina of MedPlay Technologies LLC.

The highest rated exergame, so far, is Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), which scored 63% with the popular Wii Fit making a mid-table position with 57%. TEN has a resource of over 40 exergames listed that will be peer-reviewed and rated over the next 12 months.

"The EERS results compliment the research work being done in the Exergame Lab at SUNY Cortland. While there is no substitute for scientific research in PE, the thorough rating system is extremely useful to consumers when looking at which product to purchase." says TEN contributor and exergame expert Stephen Yang.

The full Ratings table can be viewed at the TEN Blogsite http://exergamenetwork.blogspot.com/p/exergame-experience-rating-system.html and the resource of exergames at http://exergamenetwork.blogspot.com/p/exergame-products.html The Exergame Network can be joined or contacted via LinkedIn, Facebook, Wiki, Twitter or by email at info@exergamenetwork.org

ExerGames (iDANCE, BrainBike) on Fox 45 Baltimore Morning Show for BMore Healthy Expo

Fox 45 in Baltimore was nice enough to invite Exergame Fitness to be an exhibitor at the BMore Healthy Expo on May 1st, 2010 at the Baltimore Convention Center and the Fox 45 Morning Show.  Exergame Fitness was kind enough to invite me to to speak at both events and we had a blast with everyone.  Thanks Tommy, Seilheimer, Ed Kassanders, Parker Johnson,  Megan Gilliland, Jennifer Haigle and the Fox 45 Morning Crew! We had a blast on the morning show and at the BMore Healthy Expo was a huge success. Megan led by example and soon had the whole crew trying out iDANCE and BrainBike! Congratulations to all at FOX 45!

SUNY Cortland PE Rockstars

Here is a great representation of what we do in EDU 255 and especially what happened this semester of PE Rockstar Training at SUNY Cortland.  It was compiled by Jack Murphy.  Please take a look at his blog for some of his many accomplishments and also follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

ExerGame Experts wish you "Healthy Holidays" with Video Games

The holiday season is always a health rollercoaster. We eat too much, watch too much TV and exercise too little and then make New Years resolutions that we can’t keep. This year, make a change with Exergaming. The Exergame Network (TEN) reveals five ways of getting fit with video games, perfect for school kids to silver gamers with the focus on fun.

The good news for these holidays is you can over-indulge in fitness and fun by Exergaming. Exergaming is the combination of video games and exercise, ideal for a fun, social way to keep fit during the festive period. The Exergame Network brings you five Exergaming methods to suit everyone regardless of their age, ability or fitness level.

Most health and fitness resolutions revolve around dieting and joining a gym, but this doesn’t work for everyone. So what about the rest of us, those that dislike gyms, dieting, boot camps or just find conventional fitness boring?

Exergaming succeeds because it makes exercise fun and involving. The exercise seems less difficult and second to the enjoyment of playing. Choosing the right style of Exergaming is vital in making it fun for you! The following CREWS list is a ‘something for everyone’ selection from five Exergaming catagories (for an interactive tour visit CREWS):

1. *C*amera Exergaming: Your whole body becomes the controller as your movements are motion captured into the game (Eyetoy Kinetic/Groove/Antigrav, Your Shape, Project Natal, Trazer 2)

2. *R*hythm Exergaming: Become the musician or dancer and be guided by the music while the exergame records your dance steps or your musical timing. (Rock Band, Guitar Hero, We Cheer, DDR & iDANCE)

3. *E*xergaming Machines: Using real fitness equipment, the fun of the games takes your mind of the exercise. (Gamercize, Gamebike, Fitclub, GameCycle, BrainBike & Espresso Bikes)

4. *W*orkout Exergaming: Follow your virtual personal trainer as they guide you through your workout giving feedback on your form and storing your progress. (Yourself Fitness!, EA Sports Active, The Biggest Loser, Your Shape & Wii Fit/Plus)

5. *S*ensory Exergaming: These commercial exergames get you jumping and running for your score. (Lightspace Play, Makoto, SmartUs & TWall)

TEN reminds you to think of ‘CREWS’ as an amazing way to engage, motivate and sustain exercise over your lifetime! To discover more about Exergaming, get practical advice and more information from TEN or connect with us on twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. Now enjoy what some of the leaders on Exergaming have to say and how Exergaming can truly benefit everyone!



“In Physical Education, we strive to provide a safe and positive learning environment that supports the needs and abilities of our students. Exergaming, in its many forms, is available in schools (before and after-school), at home, and in the community and thus has the potential to impact students physically, cognitively, and socially”. Stephen Yang, Ph.D-ABD, M.S., B.S., Co-Director ExerGame Lab, Assistant Professor, State University of New York College at Cortland.

“Exergaming Machines are a time saving way to keep me fit. Last week I clocked up over 9 hours of genuine cardio, just by playing the latest Xbox release! It is important that everyone finds the Exergaming method that works for them, if you enjoy the activity there’s more chance of keeping at it and reaching the fitness benefits. Nothing kept in the back of the cupboard will improve health.” Richard Coshott, Gamercize Founder and CEO.

“People who normally don’t like to be physically active are willing to try Exergaming because it’s FUN. Parents tell me that this is the first time they’ve seen their kids sweat this much, and they don’t want to stop playing the exergames! Exergaming is the best intervention for the (couch potato), and introduces physical activity that’s fun for the first time in their lives.” Ernie Medina, Jr., DrPH, CHFS, preventive care specialist, Beaver Medical Group; CEO & (Exergaming Evangelist), MedPlay Technologies.

“Exergaming offers an alternative method of increasing heart-rate and building muscle bulk for those with disabilities. Real-world boxing, for example, offers an excellent aerobic workout for many able-bodied individuals, however is impossible for many with disabilities. Video-game based boxing, however, allows for simulated boxing with an avatar that is safe and achievable, while simultaneously being aerobically challenging.” Sheryl Flynn, PT, PhD, Co-Founder Games4Rehab.com.

About The Exergame Network (TEN)
TEN is a not-for-profit advocacy group (not affiliated with Games for Health) which promotes an active and healthy lifestyle by combining video game technologies and exercise, known as Exergaming. Exergaming is proving to be an excellent way to increase motivation, energy expenditure and overall fitness. TENis a collaboration of dedicated health and fitness practitioners, exergame developers, researchers and clinicians, health and fitness entrepreneurs and passionate individuals devoted to highlighting the best solutions offered by exergaming.

Serious "Fun" Games @ KSF 2009

Here is my presentation from #KSF2009 - Korea Serious Games Festival in Seoul last week.

Serious "Fun" Games

View more presentations from Stephen Yang.

And here are some more pictures from the tremendous opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Korean government has committed over $60 million dollars to supporting the digital arts, games, and content mostly within the province of Gyongi. They are opening a $20 million dollar facility to support these industries as well as education, software and hardware development. Now that's commitment. Play On Korea!

DDR + Science Instruction = SciRAVE

SciRAVE is a pretty cool idea: take a fun game like DDR or Guitar Hero and have the songs be about Science topics. The game works like any Dance Dance Revolution game, you have to step on the matching arrows as they rise to the top of the screen. The arrows rise to the beat of the song, in this case science songs. The goal of this game is to teach children concepts of science while they are playing an enjoyable game. The only problem I have with the game is that the words are too hard to understand for most songs. Also, so much focus is going into hitting the arrows at the right time that there is little time to focus on the lyrics. Other than that it's a pretty fun game. You can check it out at: www.jmtour.com/scirave/

Matt put together a little video of screenshots taken while playing the game.

And here is the rest of it.

Sci RAVE review (ask Miles, It's a Rave)