Instructional Tools for Online Physical Education

What is it about?

The purpose of this paper is to describe the functionality of innovative technologies for use in OLPE, including recommendations for their integration into professional practice. The features, functions, and potential applications of the following technologies are discussed: physical activity/fitness trackers, mobile fitness applications, and mobile exergames.

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Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The changes in education and society brought about by growth of the internet and related technologies have placed new demands on teachers. Online physical education (OLPE) presents a unique set of challenges in translating traditional face-to-face courses to a digital space. The delivery of OLPE has been met with skepticism given the inherent difficulty in conceptualizing the effective instruction and assessment of physical activity in an online setting. Despite these concerns, OLPE continue to become more prevalent. Thirty-one states now allow physical education credits to be earned online (SHAPE America, 2016). This upward trend is likely to continue as states like Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico and Georgia have passed legislation mandating completion of an online course, regardless of subject, as a high school graduation requirement (Kennedy & Archambault, 2012; Rice & Yang, 2013). With further growth in OLPE expected, it is critical that physical educators who are providing these learning experiences develop proficiency in online pedagogy and use of supporting technologies.