Using Technology in Physical Education Newsletter

Wii, PS2, PS3, xBox, Xavix - which one to buy?

The new generation of game consoles (XBox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, and XaviXPort) has brought physical activity into the world of video gaming. Each device offers unique items and works only with software (games) designed for it. Consumers usually purchase the system that has the games they enjoy.

The MicroSoft XBox 360 was the first game console to be equipped
with a removable hard drive add-on for storing game saves compressed
in ZIP archives and content downloaded from XBox Live, thus
eliminating the need for separate memory cards. Most games also use the hard drive as a disk cache for faster game loading times.

The Wii is the fifth video game console released by Nintendo. The
most distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller,
the Wii Remote, which is used as a handheld pointing device when
interacting with games. The Wii Remove can detect acceleration in
three dimensions using a combination of accelerometers and infrared detection (from LEDs inside the sensor bar).The system weighs 2.7 pounds, making it the lightest of the gaming consoles. The Wii comes with a free copy of Wii Sports (rated E), a five-in-one gaming compilation featuring Wii Tennis, Bowling, Baseball, Golf, and Boxing.

Although the PlayStation 3® has been available for some time now, the PlayStation 2® is also available, less expensive, and is able to play DVDs without any additional equipment.The PS3® has better graphics and it is faster as well as being backward compatible with any PS1® or PS2® game that adheres to the system’s technical requirements checklist. The PS3® can also play blue-ray DVDs.

The two primary games for physical are the GameBike and Dance Dance Revolution. The GameBike is compatible with: Sony Playstation, Sony PlayStation 2, Game Cube, and the Original Xbox. The bike is also compatible with the PS3® with the assistance of a PlayStation 3® adapter for each GameBike.

The XaviXPort is the main console for the XaviX Interactive System.
It was released by SSD Company Limited in 2004. The console uses
cartridges and special wireless controllers. The controllers are shaped like sports equipment (e.g., baseball bats, tennis rackets). The users actions are transferred to the screen through the use of human interface sensors. The XaviXPort is the least expensive of the gaming consoles. Click on one of the picture of the games to the right to learn more.

XBox

Wii Device

PlayStation

Xavix Device

Xavix Bowling

Xavix Tennis

Xavix Baseball

Xavix Power Boxing

As each of these game consoles matures, the number of available games increases. Several new games include Dance Dance Revolution Extreme with EyeToy Support, Dance Dance Revolution DDR Max 2 Greatest Hits, Dance Dance Revolution Disney Channel, and Dance Dance SuperNova for the PS2. Wii DDR Bundle and Table Tennis for the Wii. And Dance Dance Revolution Universe for the XBox. Click on any of the icons to the left to learn more about the specific games.

One important consideration when purchasing Dance Dance Revolution systems is the pad. Dance pads range from very inexpensive home versions, to foam pads, to virtually indestructible commercial pads costing up to $1,500 each, to the arcade version costing around $15,000. It is important to purchase commercial dance pads with at least a three-year warranty. Packaged discounts also are available that can save you money if you wish to purchase at least a couple of pads and software at the same time. There are even practice pads, which although they do not connect to the game machine, do provide more students with the opportunity to practice. Some teachers have even created their own practice pads by painting pads, laying out the pad template using tape or using poly spots.

Always be sure to purchase commercial quality equipment when it is available!

If you are interested in having a cardio or fitness lab designed specially for your school, please contact us.

Sample Lesson - Health Related FItness

NASPE Standard 4: Achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

Lesson Objective:
1. Identify stretching exercises as safe or dangerous.
2. Explain why particular exercises are dangerous.
3. Create a safe warm-up routine.

Summary:
Students are engaged in a fitness unit. In this lesson, students learn about safe and dangerous stretches using an electronic tutorial. Students then use this information to create a safe warm-up routine, which is stored in their electronic portfolio.

Equipment:
Computer (one or more) available for use in physical education.
Software: Health Related Fitness: Tutorial/Portfolio.

Software:
Health Related Fitness: Tutorial/Portfolio loaded on each computer.

Instructional Materials:
Task cards for use at stations (create your own or purchase Dangerous Exercises task cards and Fitness task cards from Bonnie’s Fitware, Inc.).
Task cards for each station (create your own using information in Applications section).

1. Explains general principles related to safe stretching:
-Don’t bounce.
-Don’t swing limbs.
-Don’t stretch fast.
-Don’t lock joints.
-Don’t over bend.
-Don’t arch back.
-Don’t create clicking or popping in the joints.

Select one dangerous exercise card and discuss with your group why the exercise is dangerous.

Pick up one dangerous exercise card, watch the group at Station 3 performing safe exercises, determine which individual at Station 3 is performing a safe alternative for the exercise on the card.

One student works the keyboard/mouse, one student reads the task card directions, one student reads the screen, and one student determines when it is appropriate to go to the next screen.

1. Other options for executing this lesson include:
-The computer phase of the lesson is done as a whole class activity, using one computer and a projection system at the beginning of the lesson.
-The computer phase of the lesson is assigned as homework.

2. Other options for completing the homework assignment include:
-The warm-up routine is entered into a word processing file.
-The warm-up routine is presented using presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, HyperStudio).

The Future of Mobile Technology and Physical Education

Based on a number of events (new operating systems, reduction in the size of notebook computers) that occurred at the end of 2007, we have re-evaluated our vision for the future of handheld technology in physical education. We began programming handheld devices in 1987 using the Sharp Wizard. Since then we have designed software for the Apple Newton, several versions of the Palm OS, Windows CE, several versions of the PocketPC (Windows Mobile), several versions of the Mac OS, and several versions of Windows OS. While we will continue to support and sell Record Book for Palm/PocketPC, Fitness Report for Palm/PocketPC, Clipboard for Palm/Pocket PC, and Heart Monitor/Pedometer Report for Palm/Pocket PC (handheld (Palm OS5/Windows Mobile 5 for use with Macintosh OSX [up to 10.4] and Windows XP) under the titles Record Book 8 (handheld version), Fitness 8 (handheld version), Clipboard 8 (handheld version), and Heart Monitor/Pedometer 8 (handheld version) - as long as customers want these products - we believe the future is ultra-mobile notebook computers. These devices currently weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds with screens around 7" for the Windows environment and under 3 pounds with screens around 13" for the Macintosh environment. We believe that these devices will continue to decrease in weight, and the Macintosh will decrease in screen size and weight.

The reason we believe that these devices are ideal for physical education include:

-The screen large enough to see most, if not all, of your students on one screen without scrolling

-You can attach an external keyboard if you want a regulation size one at your desk

With this in mind, we have redesigned our handheld products: Record Book, Fitness, Clipboard, and Heart Monitor/ Pedometer Report - check these out. These products will continue to work with Palm OS and Window Mobile devices (specs above) - as well as Leopard and Vista.

PowerPoint 2007: Actions

Actions in PowerPoint let you add interactive elements to your slide shows. You can use them to navigate around a presentation or open a file, bring up a Web page, or play a video. PowerPoint includes built-in Action buttons. To find them, go to the insert tab, and from the Illustrations group select Shapes | Action Buttons and choose the shape to use. Select Action Button: Information, and drag to create the shape on the slide. When the Action Settings dialog appears, click Hyperlink, click the Slide entry, choose the slide to link to, and click Ok twice.

Request from the Field

I am interested in communicating with elementary physical education classes. Possibly live communication between my classes and yours through web cast or sites like SKYPE. Contact me at mdriemeyer
@lindberghschools.ws

Research

Interactive aerobic equipment puts the user in a simulated environment (often a video game) that requires aerobic activity in order to be successful. Trout and Christie (2007) found that female users burned an average of 177 calories and males users burned an average of 276 calories per 20-minute dance session using Dance Dance Revolution (see section on Dance Dance Revolution). Warburton et al. (2007) found that training programs that linked interactive video games to cycle exercise resulted in greater improvement in health-related physical fitness than that seen after traditional cycle exercise training. Apparently, greater attendance and a higher volume of physical activity was the mechanism for the differences in improvement.

Trout, J. & Brett, C. (2007). Interactive video games in physical education. JOPERD,78(5): 29-34,45.
Warburton, D.E.R., Bredin, S.S.D., Horita, L.T.L., Zbogar, D., Esch, B.T.A., & Rhodes, R.E. (2007). The health benefits of interactive video game exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 32:655-663.

Future is Now: Are You Set for All-Digital TV?

Most stations now broadcast analog and digital signals, but a new law requires them to transmit only digitally as of February 17, 2009. Digital TV offers better picture and sound to viewers who get free TV via a traditional antenna. It also provides more channels, including high-definition channels and subchannels with programs that differ from those of the main station. However, a TV hooked up to an antenna won't be able to get over-the-air-broadcasts if it doesn't have a digital tuner. So, you will have to change your setup to keep receiving free TV. This will not affect service for sets that have a digital tuner or connects to for-pay TV service.

In order for your analog set to get free digital TV, you will have to attach an external device that contains a digital ATSC tuner. This can be a basic digital converter box that converts the digital feed from an antenna to standard-definition analog signals the TV can accept. Such boxes are just starting to be sold for $40 to $70. Because the government is requiring this transition, it is offering each household two $40 coupons to buy two "government-approved" converter boxes. Coupons are requested by calling 888-DTV-2009 or going to dtv2009.gov, and providing your name and address. Coupons must be requested by March 31, 2009. Coupons expire 90 days after they are distributed. They're available on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding runs out.

If you have an HD-ready TV, you will need an HD-capable box to get high-def quality. That type of box costs $100 and up.

You also can purchase a DVD recorder or digital hard-disk recorder that contains a digital tuner; not all do, so confirm before you buy. The cost is about $200 and you will still need an antenna.

Using Technology in Physical Education Newsletter

March 2008

Main Site | Online Store | Online Classes | Professional Development | Previous Editions

Table of Contents

Seminars

Spring Online Courses

Fitware Certification Program - Registration Deadline April 15, 2008.

California Update

Web Sites

Updated Web Booklet Sites

Fitness Labs

Products

Bonnie's Fitware Inc. Catalog

Game Consoles and Games

Sample Lesson - Health Related FItness

The Future of Mobile Technology and Physical Education

PowerPoint 2007: Actions

Request from the Field

Research

Future is Now: Are You Set for All-Digital TV?

Support our Sponsors

Tuff Stuff

Physical Education Planners

Grants

New Products

Spanish Language Fitness Task Cards

New Software Versions with Special Interface Screens for the Ultra-Mobile Computer

Newsletter Specials

Products

© 2008 Bonnie's Fitware, Inc.