via timdalton Experimenting with the Wii with the PE prefects http://twitpic.com/1hdno

Someone shared with me that some music teachers are using a Wii to enhance classroom learning experiences.

Is anyone out there doing this or something similar with a Wii that they’d like to share for inclusion in a TCEA TechEdge article on the subject? If so, please do a quick write-up responding to these questions…it doesn’t have to be perfect so don’t let that illusion stop you!

1) What obstacles/challenges have you overcome in trying to implement use of a Wii in K-12 school setting and how did you accomplish that?

2) What is ONE story about using a Wii with students that you just HAVE to tell people about?

3) Why did you decide to start using a Wii?

4) Be sure to include who you are, contact info, district, whether you want your name and/or your district’s name mentioned or not. I’m accepting anonymous feedback, too.

Responses:

Gainesville High School (Gainesville ISD) is using Wii for LifeSkills Adaptive PE to instruct and enhance social relaxation skills, coordination, body movement, and eye-hand skills. Criteria to measure success is participation, classmate cooperation, and skills improvement and progress. The teacher is also tracking attendance trends… is it climbing because students want to participate? Games used are Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Wii Sing It, Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution. He just mentioned that he was going to rent Wii Music, as well, for an autistic student who has an affinity for music.
Source: Jennifer Coleman, Gainesville ISD Instructional Technology – jcoleman@gainesvilleisd.org

We in Deer Park are using WiiFit in our adaptive PE classes.
Kari Rhame

I use the Wii in my Physical Education classes. Primarily, I’m using it on rainy days (typical here in Florida) in the classroom that I am provided. I use Wii Fit and Wii Sports…….I get everyone active – for example if we are boxing….one student holds the remote and boxes 1 round…while the other students shadow box in their personal space. I rotate the students at the end of each round……At the end of the class – students have basically shadow-boxed for 30 minutes…great workout. I do the same simulation of activities w/ Wii Fit. All students are participating. Allows for students of any fitness level to be able to participate & have fun doing so. We’ve even had our principal in the classes playing against the students….Kids really enjoy it. Find it to be a greater use of PE time then watching the old magic school bus videos w/ everyone sitting down.
Source: Christopher J. Cain, Panther Run Elementary Physical Education – Christopher.Cain@palmbeach.k12.fl.us