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In this edition of "Technology and Physical Education" I would like to discuss some teaching tools that are available for the Web. Send me information on your favorite Web teaching tools, and how you are using these in your teaching.
When you want to help your students on the Web and relate this to classes, what are some of the tools you would want? Secure grades, class mail, bulletin boards, chat rooms, group report areas, homework assignment areas, class information, and other tools. You can find many tools that will allow you to do one, some, or all. The key factors are ease of use, system standards, and cost.
I want to focus on some of the packages and tools that are out there, and how they work. Share your thoughts with me, my e-mail address is mdumin@radford.edu.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael W. Dumin
Section Editor
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Classroom Tools
How are you using the web to help keep parents, students, and others informed about your classes? What would you like to include in a package to inform the groups you need to inform? First you want a secure site where certain information can be shared, but also a site that keeps confidential information private.
Do you want to post homework help, reviews, and assignments? Think of the possibilities. How about a place for students to send class mail, have a monitored class chat room, have a bulletin board for class work or discussion, and a gradebook for students and/or parents?
The possibilities are amazing. There are stand-alone packages that will help with communication needs, packages that will do everything needed, and some that can do more than you even thought of doing. Some of the packages available are HomeworkNow, WebCT, MetaCollege, Blackboard, and BigChalk.
Some of these sites are free, some charge, but most have a demo that you can try out. It may be worth your while to check out what you can do. If your school has selected a package, make sure you get your material up and available.
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Last year on October 4th, hundreds of thousands of students, parents, and community leaders across the United States hit the streets on foot in celebration of International Walk to School Day
This year's event promises to be even bigger and more exciting. The date is scheduled for Tuesday October 2, 2001. Check out the website to see what it's all about.
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Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
~ Abraham Lincoln ~
"Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change."
~ Jesse Jackson ~
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UMUC-Bell Atlantic Virtual Resource Site for Teaching with Technology.
A collaborative project of the Center for the Virtual University and the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Maryland University College, this site aims to help teachers develop good practice in adopting technology in their courses.
The site consists of two modules. The first module focuses on using Web-based technologies to design online courses and links to over 40 examples of Web-enabled assignments from a variety of disciplines. Each is briefly described, with notes on the Web-based technologies employed.
The second module concerns delivery in online courses, offering six interviews (video, audio, and transcript) "on significant dimensions of online teaching, with particular emphasis on managing interaction." Each interview includes a collection of related (annotated) links.
This site should be useful to those studying teaching and technology, as well as those who would like to make better use of the Internet and related technologies in their classroom.
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Stop at Joe Gallo's Web page to see how someone is using the Web to promote their program and keep people informed.
Gerry Cernicky has an example of the "Real Slide Show," which is a Real Player free download from real.com. You can see what he did by checking out this website, and then take it from there for you and your students to develop something of their own.
Classroom Connect has many teaching ideas. Check out a fast food idea to see a teaching idea one teacher has come up with.
Phil Lawler at Madison Junior High, Naperville, Illinois has just started a Web page with some links to information on what physical education should be, as well a nice photo of their fitness facility.
Lincoln Middle School has a nice Website. Note while visiting that in addition to information about their program, they recognize the help some of the school sponsors have provided. Parents and student can find out what activities are being taught.
If you want to know the latest on the PEP Bill, then checkout this link for the latest news.
Do you have students ask you about creatine? Get some information on this topic.
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HomeworkNow
HomeworkNOW is a free on-line service that keeps teachers, students, and parents connected. Now in its third year of on-line service, HomeworkNOW allows teachers to post their classroom assignments on the Internet, and gives students and parents easy 24-hour access to those assignments through a Web browser. This free on-line service is truly revolutionary as it gives schools the power to use the Internet as an important educational tool.
McConnell Middle School in Loganville, GA, uses HomeworkNow in all of their programs. The Physical Education department keeps their presence on the Web. Assignments are posted each week, and for each grade. Students and parents know what is due, and when. Email can be sent to the department with a click on an icon. The school's current data indicate that over 90% of the parents check the site once a week.
How can we use educational web sites in Physical Education? We can post what we are doing in our classes. We should post information, and links to information, on why physical education is important. We can post how we grade, homework, pictures of classes in action, and suggestions to improve performance. If our school uses a class management program, we can post grades, have class email, use bulletin boards, have readings, post class work, and many other features. The key is to have a presence on the Web that is compatible with our school's site.
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If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Technology PE Section Editors:
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Help to support quality physical education and health education by contributing to this site.
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