Teacher of the Year Talks Technology at OHS
Technology in P.E. (CRI Image)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Students at Oskaloosa High School listened to a presentation Tuesday by Iowa’s teacher of the year. She talked about incorporating technology in physical education. It was part of a research component for a new program called Project Based Learning. CRI’s Aaron Riggs tells us more.
Physical education has gotten a lot more techy, and fun. At least that’s what high schoolers found out during a presentation by Iowa Teacher of the Year, Charity Campbell.
“Well I think as we’re finding in many classes that we can use technology for about any activity that we do”, says Charity Campbell, 2012 Iowa Teacher of the Year.
And discovering those technologies is the goal for students as part of project based learning. It gives students scenarios where they must work in a group to find a solution to a real-world problem.
“Students like pretend they’re a middle school physical education teacher and they have to use their own life as well. How can they incorporate technology? And then they’re going to have to present this to administrators, faculty, community members, and other peers”, says Cyndy Gray, Physical Education Teacher.
Which will equip students with life-skills they can use after graduation.
“Yeah know what are employers looking for, those critical thinkers, ya know can we apply this”, says Gray.
And through the projects, Gray hopes she and the students can learn from each other.
“If they come up with something great and it’s working, it’ll work, if I think it’ll work, I’m gonna take it. Great idea Nadia, I’m gonna use it”, says Gray.
And as for those ideas, Sportwalls with interactive lights.
“Kids can touch and use their eye hand coordination and they can throw balls at it”, says Campbell.
Or websites like dailyfitlog.com, which allows students to log and reflect on physical activity.
“They can also use their cellphones or ipads or ipod touches to do QR readings or to find workouts on those different devices as well”, says Campbell.
Because we all know it’s hard to change old habits.
“So helping educate our students what is healthy to eat and how to take care of their bodies at an early age”, says Campbell.
And so far, the students are on board with the idea.
“I kinda thought she had some good ideas, with the technology and everything”, says student TJ Boyle.
“Just dance and zumba are really good and the wall thing”, says student Nadia Gaitan.
“Learned a lot. Yeah, she’s good”, says student Emily Allison.
Campbell teaches at Norwalk Middle School. Her year long run as Teacher of the Year ends at the end of this month.
