This month Technology Section will focus on both "Promoting our Physical Education Programs through Technology," and taking a look at a few of my favorite technologies currently used to track activity levels.

Scott Tomassetti (class photo)
Technology Section Editor

We can all agree that promoting Physical Education and Physical Activity is of paramount importance to the health of our youth today. This past year's AAHPERD National Convention had several presentations on using video to promote your program. You can view the presentations with PowerPoint by downloading them here.

Using video to promote your program is a great tool, and most students love to see themselves on the screen. As mentioned in April's pelinks4u Technology section, there are many important factors to consider when beginning a video project. Of these, the camera quality and type is the most important. A recent trend in video cameras is the introduction of Prosumer quality High Definition cameras. Prosumer quality cameras are not quite professional quality, but they are also not for the average family consumer. They include features such as manual focus, higher quality lenses, interchangeable lenses, 3ccd or higher CMOS chips, XLR audio inputs for an external microphone, and usually a more rugged exterior.

CNET.com places the Canon XH A1 at the top of its list for Prosumer quality cameras. You will, however, be paying a higher price for this type of camera. Generally, a good Prosumer camera will cost anywhere from $3000 - $7000. You can see the CNET.com editors picks for the Prosumer quality cameras at these reviews.

Video editing software is also very important. Apple's iVideo and Microsoft's Movie Maker are both low cost/no cost, easy to use, and produce acceptable quality videos. To give your videos the next level of sophistication, you may want to use more advanced software such as: Sony Vegas, Adobe Premier, or Apple's Final Cut Pro. However, these products have a higher learner curve, and are meant for the semi-professional. I have used several of these, and find that I use Movie Maker (because I am PC based) the most.

Pictures speak a thousand words

I used photos, not video, during one of my most successful promotion campaigns. Digital photography has replaced videos for me as a means to relay a quick and simple message: kids are active, learning, and having fun. Last year, as part of my growth plan, I kept a year-long photo log containing all the events at our school. I used our school's web site to display the photos. Next I emailed the web page to all the staff and administration in my building. My principal then sent the photo log to the board administrators.

This not only highlighted the Physical Education events for the year, but all the events that the school participated in. Because I used FrontPage 2003's built in Photo Album Creator, all I needed to do was reduce the resolution with Microsoft's Native Picture Editor within Office, and then upload the photos. This only took 5 to 10 minutes each time. The average video takes 2 to 4 hours to edit, render, create a web page, and upload the video. I also discovered that people viewed the photos more readily than the videos.

In addition to posting photos on the web, I placed themed images from my Physical Education class on 3 bulletin boards and rotated them periodically. This was the students' favorite. The only drawback I found with this technique was the cost of ink for the printers. Each set of cartridges for my printer was expensive; plus, when you have a color printer everyone wants to use it. This cost came from my personal budget, as my PE budget was severely lacking. Thus, I finally started printing them in black and white on a laser printer, and the students like them just as well. "Pictures tell a story don't they?" - Rod Stewart.

An SLR Digital Camera that meets the need: Nikon’s D40X

Our school has very poor lighting in the auditorium, so taking photos during performances has always been difficult. This year I decided I will organize a fund raiser to purchase an SLR digital camera for school use. My brother Nick and I both agree, because of quality and ease of use, the new 10 mega-pixel Nikon D40x is the best choice. Read the review on CNET.com. Because I want the extra zoom, I changed the lens from the 18mm to 135mm. I will also need to purchase an external flash to provide proper lighting for our dark auditorium. I should be able to pick the whole package up for less than $1,000, which is well within reach of my fundraising abilities.

ExerGames makes its appearance at HealthTrax Wellness Centers in Connecticut

I mentioned in my April Technology section of pelinks4u.org that fun fitness and interactive fitness equipment would be making its way into health clubs. Well, that day has arrived with ExerGames introduction at 3 HealthTrax Wellness Centers in Connecticut; the Newington, Bristol, and Ellington Centers. ExerGames are interactive games and equipment; some examples include SportWalls, the Cybex Traser, and DDR. HealthTrax Wellness Centers encourage their young members to begin early active lifestyles by promoting youth fitness through fun interactive exercise.

Nike iPod Nano interactive shoes

A month ago, as I was shopping for new walking shoes, I discovered a display for the Nike-iPod tracking system. The system uses a sensor in one of the shoes to wirelessly communicate with a device that attaches to the iPod Nano. The system requires 4 purchases:

	Nike sneakers that accept the sensor. (Nike Shox: $98.99)
	Nike Sensor for the shoe and iPod. ($29.99)
	Nike armband for iPod. ($29.99)
	iPod Nano. ($159.99 for 2gig version, 179.99 for 4 gig version)

Altogether the cost was $338.96, but if you own an iPod already and purchase a less expensive pair of sneakers, the system cost can be equivalent to a good pair of running shoes.

How it works

First you plug the device for the iPod into the USB port of your computer. The next step is to include menu item on the iPod for NIKE+iPod. Select this menu item on your iPod and choose your program; I always choose basic. It then instructs you to begin walking to start the communication process, and tells you to press the middle button to start your workout.

When finished, you touch the menu key and scroll to the bottom to end workout. When you attach your iPod back to the computer and iTunes, the program asks you to create a user account on Nike.com (this is free). Once on Nike.com, you will be able to visually see your workout, including graphs, and then be able to set goals based on calories, time, or other criteria. I have set time goals for the month that I can track.

All in all, I have found this system very motivating while attempting to reach my goals. I also like the interaction and feedback I receive when using the device. This might be something a cross country or track coach would like their runners to invest in.

HealthTrax have also recently added two new Expresso interactive bikes. I have used interactive bikes before and found them very motivating. With Expresso, they are wirelessly internet based. The data is wirelessly transmitted to their website, which you can log onto to check your progress. My friend, Scott Nierendorf, and I raced each other on a short 5-minute ride, and we both found it encouraged increasing our intensity.

Even without a riding partner, the trails and pacer riders help you focus externally; this allows the rider to increase intensity without noticing muscle fatigue as frequently. Because I am a re-emerging exerciser, this could help me get over that intensity barrier that I cannot seem to break.

Dealing With Anger - We all get angry, and we all have trouble controlling our anger sometimes. Here's advice for how to handle it without hurting ourselves or other people.

Depression - Young people can experience serious depression just like adults do. IML helps you understand what depression is, how it can be treated, and how to help yourself or a loved one.

Dealing With Death - If someone you love has died you may be feeling sad, confused, and lonely. Here's some advice on how to get through the pain.

In Physical Education there are several online logs available for your students' use:

	PE Central's LOG IT - Sponsored by New-Lifestyles
	Get Active Stay Active, For teens, record activity minutes or steps...sponsored by PepsiCo
	The Presidents Challenge - An online log for students from the President's Council on Physical Fitness

FIELD TRIP TO HEALTHTRAX - I plan to take my gym helpers on a field trip to HealthTrax to show them what a wellness center is like, and to let them try out the new interactive equipment. I am sure they will love the experience. I will be posting photos on our school's website during October.

PE4LIFE.ORG HAS HAD A FACELIFT! - PE4Life has been redesigned and is sporting some new tools for users. Phil Lawler also claims that pe4life’s web site will become more interactive and have more tools in the coming months.

GEOCACHING: THE NEW ORIENTEERING - Geocaching.com has a wealth of information concerning geocaching.

What is Geocaching? Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for GPS (Global Positioning System) users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then follow the location coordinates to find the caches.

Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is leave something for the cache if they get something. (Taken from Geocaching FAQs)

This will be a great project and extension activity for my 6th graders. I plan to organize a fund-raising adult basketball 3 on 3 tournament to raise the funds for the program.

IDEAS FOR BULLETIN BOARDS - Are you out of bulletin board ideas? Here are some ideas that will work for almost any classroom, any subject, and any grade level.

Puberty: Maybe the word "puberty" totally cracks you up, or freaks you out, or makes you feel really embarrassed. But like with most things, if you know the facts, it all gets a lot easier. IML has put together all the info you need about this really important time in your life.

My Teacher Hates Me - So you think your teacher hates you? You're not the only one. Read some of the comments that kids have about teachers who seem to hate them.

It's My Life Video Discussion Guide
We have provided discussion questions to be used with some of the It's My Life video clips. Some questions are based on what children talk about in the clips themselves and suggested answers are provided; additional questions are provided for Further Discussion.

What activities do you do after school? - We got so many answers to this question that we ran out of room! Take a look at what others had to say, and send us your response on other topics.

What was the worst day at school you ever had? - We got so many answers to this question that we ran out of room! Take a look at what others had to say, and send us your response on other topics.

Solo Sports: a team of one. Do you have trouble hitting a baseball or catching a football? Do hockey goals, soccer nets and basketball hoops seem to jump out of the way when you try to score? Are you always picked last for teams, or feel like you'd be a shoo-in for a gold medal at the Klutz Olympics? If so, then it must mean you'll never be good at sports, right? WRONG. Find out more.

Home Alone: are you ready? Did you know that in the U.S., almost half of all kids aged 6 to 13 are home alone for part of the day? The boys in the Home Alone movies certainly had fun, but the whole experience can be freaky sometimes. These days, even a lot of adults are scared to be alone in the house! It's TOTALLY understandable if you, or someone you know, are nervous about being home alone. Find out more.