December 1, 1999

Volume 1, Number 8

The purpose of this newsletter is to keep K-12 physical educators abreast of
current trends in using technology in physical education.
This newsletter is published monthly (except July and January).
 

Written and Published by Bonnie Mohnsen

http://www.pesoftware.com/news.html

 

 

Feature: Olympic Athlete Communicates with Students

 

We are back in Colorado Springs preparing for our second Olympic qualifier. The World Cup in Japan did not go as well as we had hoped. We had several five game matches of which we were within two points of winning, but were unable to take the wins. Matches such as these are extremely frustrating because of the intensity in which we battled. A pattern formed in which we would win the first two games aggressively, relax, and fight once again to catch up. This is a recurring problem for our team. We must learn how to sustain our lead until the match is over and we are victorious.

 

Having placed ninth in the World Cup, we were unable to qualify in Japan. So January 4-10 are our target dates. There is a zone qualifier in Tampa, Florida during these dates. The tournament will include: Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, USA, and possibly Puerto Rico. Cuba, also in our region, placed first in the World Cup, and therefore, has already qualified. The competition will be tough, but we have confidence in our ability against these teams.

 

Although our World Cup experience was not a successful one, we did grow as a team. At this level, experience is key. We came away with a better understanding of our own play , our strengths and weaknesses as a team, and as individuals. Our advantage will be to apply all we've learned at the World Cup, and command victory in Tampa.

 

Mickisha Hurley

#10 USA VB

Software Review 

Title: How Your Body Works
Publisher: Mindscape
Copyright: 1996
Subject: Physical Education
Grade Level: 4-12
Rating: Desirable
 
Program Description 
This "easy to install and use" program is designed to help students learn about the human body using a multimedia presentation (video, music, voice). The unique graphic user interface consists of a laboratory where students click on different objects, like a video cassette recorder/monitor to show video clips. The core of the CD-ROM is a discussion of basic anatomy and human biology. The CD-ROM also shows how different organ systems function and describes what can happen if something goes wrong. The program divides the subject of human biology into twelve body systems. Although the graphic user interface, videos, and illustrations are excellent, there is very little opportunity for real interaction with the program.

 

Curriculum Applications
  1. Connect computer to presentation system and use video clips during teacher presentation.
  2. Small cooperative learning groups rotate to computer station and view video clips and visuals on a specific system of the body. Task cards can be used to keep students focused on the desired information.
  3. Use as a resource for individual student research reports and projects.
 
Support Materials

A teacher's guide with detailed supplemental materials including student worksheets accompanies this program.

Using Technology in Physical Education, 2nd

Bonnie Mohnsen
ISBN 1-893166-26-0 $28.00

"This book is a buy for anyone who is new to the use of technology in physical education... Bonnie has been able to digest this complex area into a systematic wholeness that will leave the reader with a comfortable feeling that now they are back on top of the technological juggernaut." Ken Daley

Using Technology in Physical Education provides comprehensive information and practical classroom applications for:

  1. fitness testing equipment
  2. videocassette, laser disc players, and camcorders
  3. computers and peripherals
  4. telecommunications
  5. instructional and assessment software
  6. multimedia systems
Adopted by numerous colleges for their technology in physical education course or a supplement to other teacher-preparation courses!

 

For complete information on books, software, task cards, and consulting services along with an order form - check out Bonnie's Fitware: (http://www.pesoftware.com/)

Web Sites

 

The top five picks for December, 1999 - check them out by clicking on the link or typing in the address. Don't forget to bookmark your favorite sites!

ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation

http://ericae.net

 

21st Century Teachers

http://www.21.ct.org/

 

Teacher Pathfinder School House

http://teacherpathfinder.org/

 

Busy Teacher's Network

http://www/ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/

 

Infoseek-Education

http://infoseek.go.com/center/education/

What to do?

 

What should I do if I keep getting disconnected after I connect to the Internet?

This is probably a modem init string problem. Compare notes with someone who, with the same modem, successfully connects to the same service. Or talk to tech support at your on-line service. Chances are the problem has cropped up before, and a computer tech has located the problem, issued an alert, and the service is aware of the modem init string modification.

Be sure that call waiting is disabled - since this can also cause the problem described.

 

How do?

 

Can I consolidate my bookmarks from different computers into one place?

Yes, by backing them up online using one of several free services. This method has the added advantage of keeping your links safe if your computer's disabled or stolen. For example, once you sign up with itList Online Bookmark Manager (www.itlist.com), you can send your bookmarks to the service via e-mail. Online Bookmark Manager adds them to a private, password-protected page that you can open from any PC with Web access. Yahoo! Bookmarks (bookmarks.yahoo.com), Bookmark Box (www.bookmarkbox.com), and BookMarksPlus (www.bookmarksplus.com) offer similar free services.

Upcoming Events

 

October 15, 1999-May 15, 2000 - Online professional development courses for physical educators.

You may sign up anytime - as long as you complete the course(s) by May 15, 2000. University credit is available from the University of California, Irvine.

 

"Using Technology to Improve your Health and Physical Education Program" - Bonnie Mohnsen, Facilitator.

May 1, 2000 - Fresno, CA
May 2, 2000 - San Jose, CA
May 3, 2000 - Sacramento, CA
May 4, 2000 - Spokane, WA
May 5, 2000 - Seattle, WA

For more information on the above seminars, contact the Bureau of Education and Research, http://www.ber.org, 425-453-2121

 

June 4-6, 2000 - International Conference on Sport Technology.

New Technology

DVD/CD-R/CD-RW: What does it mean?

CD-ROM: Compact Disc-Read Only Memory. This is the factory-produced CD format that is used for almost all commercial software. This is a read-only (i.e., you can't record to them) storage device.

CD-R: Compact Disc-Recordable. This format is "recordable" in the sense that you can use it to make your own data or audio CDs. CD-WORM (Write Once Ready Many), an early term that didn't catch on, was more accurate. Once you fill up a CD-R, it's as unwritable as a regular CD-ROM. You can read a CD-R disk when it is in a CD-ROM drive as well as a CD-R drive. Cost per disc - approximately $2.00.

CD-RW: Compact Disc-Rewritable. This is basically an erasable version of a CD-R. You can use a CD-RW disc over and over indefinitely, like a giant floppy. But it can only be read from a CD-RW drive and not from CD-ROM drive. Cost per disc - approximately $25.00.

DVD-ROM: Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory. This is the data counterpart of the format used in DVD video players. It is typically used for full-length movies from some encyclopedias are now being distributed on DVD-ROM. The DVD-ROM disk holds 4.7 GB of information compared to the CD (all versions) which hold 650 MB.

 
For more information about using technology in physical education or
to submit questions for the "How to"/"What to" columns
contact Bonnie Mohnsen