pelinks4u:
New Directions - Your Input Invited
Eight
years ago, I created pelinks4u to share the exciting new
world of online information with my student majors. What began as
simple listings of locations for potentially interesting PE information,
unexpectedly evolved into a regular monthly publication. Through
the contributions of countless volunteers, our current monthly publication
strives to provide professional information that is interesting,
relevant, and has the potential to positively impact physical education
teaching.
I'm
encouraged that a large number of PE professionals are aware of
pelinks4u, but less satisfied that many still aren't. We
typically average 2,000 - 3,000 individual readers daily, and over
the course of a month have visitors from more than 50 countries.
This sounds pretty good until considering that in the US there are
about 14,300 public school districts representing approximately
96,513 public schools. At a very conservative estimate this translates
to more than 200,000 individual teachers of physical education.
Obviously, a lot of our teaching colleagues are either not aware
or not interested in our publication.
And
of course simply knowing about pelinks4u doesn't necessarily
mean that it is successfully meeting physical educators' professional
needs. So, as with any endeavor it's good to take time to reflect
on where we are with pelinks4u and how we can be better.
This
month, I want to share a few thoughts, and then invite you to help
us make pelinks4u a better resource for physical educators.
Here's what I'm thinking.
It's
hard to track, but I suspect that few readers visit more than one
of our seven monthly sections. The challenge with today's Internet
is information overload. There's just too much information readily
available and it's easy to be overwhelmed. Relative to pelinks4u,
my fear is twofold.
First,
that each of our sections contains too much information, and second,
that too often we provide links that take readers off site, never
to return. If this sharing of ideas inspires professional improvement
I guess I would be satisfied. But I'm concerned that just like PE
curriculums that constantly expose students to new activities, but
result in little student learning, simply exposing readers to new
information is not a particularly effective publishing or instructional
strategy.
The
content that I personally find most interesting in pelinks4u
are articles in which the authors share unique, personal insights.
pelinks4u is not attempting to compete with the many scholarly,
research-focused journals that are available. What we like are stories
about real people and practical ideas that work. For example, in
November's Technology section, Kim, my graduate assistant interviewed
local teachers and PE majors focusing on one main theme: Is technology
a help or hindrance in PE? The entire section had a single, in-depth
focus and all of the information was based on practical teaching
experiences.
This
month, we are featuring another section concentrating on one topic.
MEG GREINER, a former
Disney Teacher of the Year, has created a unique way to begin the
school day. Every morning, all of the students and teachers in her
elementary school in Independence, Oregon fill the gym and Meg leads
them through a program she calls "Team Time."
You can read descriptions of the program (interdisciplinary
section) from Meg and others, and also view a short video clip.
I suspect you'll find more than enough information to understand
Meg's program, and perhaps ask yourself if this is an approach you'd
like to try.
I'm
thinking that features such as these might be a good change in our
editorial direction. When we began, our focus was on providing readers
with links to off-site information - hence the pelinks4u
name. Today, it's much easier to find information using any of the
modern search tools. What seems to be missing in our profession
is the equivalent of a regular newspaper in which we can learn more
about the good things that are happening in schools nationwide.
So,
without belaboring the point, I want to invite your feedback on
this idea, reminding you that we are only as good as the input we
receive from readers. The new format might mean that some sections
are shorter than others. I'm hopeful this will encourage readers
to go from section to section rather than only browse one section?
To do this successfully, we’ll also need more reader input
and recommendations on newsworthy stories.
I'm
convinced that everyone who teaches has a few good ideas or experiences
worth sharing. Getting folks to write them down may be the bigger
challenge. But we can help with that part given the basis of a story.
And for those hesitant to share, but wishing their district was
more supportive, do remember that it's impressive to be featured
in a national publication. School principals, superintendents, and
school boards like that kind of publicity!
Changing
direction will take us time to adjust. But we have a great group
of volunteer section editors who I'm confident will continue to
do their best to share stories and information you'll find interesting.
However, we will need your help, and I invite you to contact us
both with your feedback on this new direction and also with contact
information on people and programs we might like to feature in future
editions. Email us today at pelinks@pelinks4u.org
or call 509-963-2384.
Bookmarks:
Update
We were overwhelmed last month with requests for bookmarks featuring
the Do More + Eat Right = Stay Healthy
logo and ordered an additional 20,000. We are in
the process of mailing these to the first 200 people who contacted
us. If you missed the offer and would like to purchase some for
your students, we are making them available inexpensively through
the PE Store. We also have some bracelets and great looking shirts
if you are interested. Thanks to all of you who contacted us.
Very
Best Holiday Wishes,
Steve
Jefferies
Publisher, pelinks4u | 
