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Pedometers

Pedometers are devices designed to measure the number of steps that a person takes. The device is attached to the waist band directly above either the center of the left or right knee.

Although there are numerous ways to integrate technology into physical education (see Integrating Technology and Physical Education and Using Technology in Physical Education), pedometers are an easy way to get started.

The best pedometers for accuracy and reliability are the Digi-Walkers made by Yamax of Japan. They were rated #1 in the ACSM May 04 journal, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. I recommend the one function SW200 DigiWalker that simply counts steps. It is easy to use and comes with a strap that provides added security for keeping it attached to the student.

Ideas for use in class:
1. Comparing different activities on the average number of steps taken during the activity.
2. Conducting a walk across the [country, state, nation]. The total number of steps taken each day by all the students is calculated into miles and plotted on a map.
3. Having students set goals for increasing the number of steps they take during a class period.
4. Checking out pedometers to students, so that they can wear the device for 24 hours.
5. Have students graph or chart their total steps.

But how many miles did I go today? This is a common question asked by students and adults alike. Here is how you calculate the mileage. First, you must know your stride length (the length of each stride that you take measured from toe to toe, or heel to heel). Then multiple your strength length by the number of steps you have taken. Divide this number by 5280 (the number of feet in a mile) and you have your answer!

Buy pedometers in large quantities and save. For example a single DigiWalker 200 is $22; but here is the discount for large quantities:
10 or more - $21
25 or more - $20
50 or more - $19
75 or more - $18

Devices Update

Presenter to Go - Handheld Computers

The Presenter to Go enables you to display your Palm OS or Pocket PC screen over a VGA connection attached to the overhead projector. The devices includes an infrared remote so that you can control your Powerpoint presentations even from a distance. The device comes in different styles of expansion cards (SD, Memorystick, CompactFlash, and so on) in order to work with a variety of handhelds.

Tips/Tutorials

Powerpoint

With Powerpoint 2003 came Presenters Tools. These tools display the current slide and any note attached to that slide, thumbnails of upcoming slides, a running clock of speaking time and slide show, all on the speaker's notebook screen. At the same time, these Tools ensure that the audience only sees the projected slide show in full screen. This possible due to the multiple-monitor feature available on most notebooks.

Directions for Windows
1. Go into Control Panel and click on the Display icon. When the Display Properties dialog box pops up, click on the Settings tab. You should see two squares labeled "1" and "2" - if you do not see two squares then your notebook does not support the multiple-monitor feature.
2. Double check that the second monitor is properly configured. Click on the "2" monitor and make sure the resolution and color quality match the native resolution of your projector. Make sure the "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" box is checked.
3. Open Powerpoint 2003 and under Slide Show, select Set Up Show.
4. Find the Multiple monitors area (lower right corner), and choose "Monitor 2 Plug and Play Monitor" from the "Display slide show on:: menu.
5. Put a check in the "Show Presenter View" box and click OK.
6. In the Performance area, make sure "Use hardware graphics acceleration" is checked. Also that the Slide show resolution has "(Use current resolution)" chosen. Click OK.

Directions for Macintosh
1. Go into System Preferences and click on displays icon. Then, click on Arrangement tab. If you do not see an Arrangement tab then your computer does not support multiple monitors.
2. Look for the Mirror Displays checkbox and make sure the checkbox is NOT checked.
3. Close out of System Preferences.
4. Open Powerpoint
5. From the Slide show men, choose Presenter Tools.

Need Help With Powerpoint

If you find yourself needing help with Powerpoint, here are a few places to find answers:

1. Go to http://www.google.com/groups. Type microsoft.public.powerpoint or microsoft.public.mac.office.powerpoint or microsoft.public.powerpoint.mac in the search box. Skim through the result or type in your specific question/problem in the search box and search again.

2. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/Powerpoint
Here you can search Microsoft's extensive Support Knowledge Base.

3. Go to http://www.indezine.com/ppsearch.html
Here you can search 10 different Powerpoint sites run by Microsoft MVPs (most valuable professionals).

4. Go back to one of the previous sites and post your specific question/problem and hope someone can answer it for you.

Web Pages for April

Heart Obstacle Course

http://www.teachphysed.com/heart.htm

BBC Sports

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/ in_the_gym/default.stm

Spring 2004 Online Courses
February 15, 2005 - May 15, 2005
Last chance to sign up by April 1

• Fitness Software
• Record Book Technology
• Web Design and Activities
• Instructional Software
• Technology Devices
• Electronic Portfolios
• Spreadsheets

Each course is $100 plus an additional $50 for college credit if needed. Click on each course for more information. You may register through April 1, 2005. There will be a summer session and all of these courses will be offered.

Future Devices

Virtual Orthopedics

Animation programs have been notorious for their inaccuracies when creating digital skeletons. The programs tend to neglect nuances of anatomy and physics resulting in animated characters that look fake. However, Victor Ng-Thow-Hing at Honda research Institute USA in Mountain VIew, CA, and New York University's Wei Shao are creating more realistic simulations of human joints by showing the interaction between several joints during a movement. Specify the geometry of the upper arm, collarbone, scapula, and rib cage, and the computer does the math to figure out how they all interact to throw a ball. A graphical user interface lets animators add layers of complexity to each joint to produce more detailed behaviors. Although video game developers are expressing interest, the developers feel that biomedical applications are still a few years away.

State Issues

Alignment with California State Standards

Here is a cheat sheet for aligning the new California standards with the standards listed in our instructional materials. For your convenience we also list our "unit" standards in each of our documents, so that you may double check for alignment.

Middle school materials:
CA/Bonnie's Fitware
1 - 1
2 - 2
3 - 3/4
4 - 4
5 - 5

High school materials:
CA/Bonnie's Fitware*/Bonnie's Fitware **
1 - 1,2 - 1,2,4,7
2 - 3,4 - 5,6
3 - 5,6 - 8, 9

*Golf, Fitness, Gymnastics, Tennis
**Fitness, Analysis of Movement

Questions and Answers

Q: I'm interested in obtaining software that will convert recorded information from a recorder into script format from the computer. I do alot of classroom evaluations in script format.

A: Try voice recognition software - there are several on the market. You will need to teach the software how to interpret your speech patterns, then the program will do a good job for you.

Funding Sources

Bonnie's Fitware Inc Grant Program

Software Choices:

1. Health Related Fitness
2. Volleyball Complete
3. Sim Athlete
4. Biomechanics Made Easy
5. Muscle Flash
6. Elementary Physical Education Dictionary

The application is simple (no more than two pages): Name of person submitting the proposal and email address; Name of school, address, phone number; Name of software (one title per proposal) and platform (Windows or Macintosh); Description of how (specifically) you will use the software; Description of how (specifically) you will determine if the software makes a difference in student learning.