For multiple obvious reasons, among educators PE teachers are facing the most critical challenges during this uncertain time. All subject teachers have more or less found their way to adjust to virtual learning, and to be honest, they are managing it quite well!
But how about PE remote learning?
Can it be even a thing?
Whether you are working as nursery teachers for kids or in charge of the entire school, keeping up with PE lessons has surely disrupted the fundamental aspects of physical education. Physical activities have numerous health benefits. And to add to that, now more than ever the emphasis on physical activities cannot be compromised.
PE classes mean more than just about grades, in school physical education promotes a variety of essential gross motor skills such as coordination, strength, balance, flexibility, and reflexes. PE teachers are well aware that these lessons value more 'quality' than 'quantity. And it is certainly not about which students can run fastest, the major intention behind PE classes is to build healthy habits within students that can be used for their whole lives.
Although this unprecedented time has created a dilemma for PE teachers, however, at the end of the day we all know how important it is for us to use our resources in hand and make the but best of it – to rethink the purpose and reboot how we can get students moving in the online setting.
3 Things To Consider Before You Recreate PE Lessons For Virtual Setting –
Age Appropriation
First thing first, you need to define a well-structured line of activities that are engaging but also are appropriate for their age. While you consider age-appropriate PE lessons, you also need to think from the perspective of what skill development you are aiming for. Besides student's abilities also need to match in terms of virtual setting, available tools, and space.
Making It Fun
We all are familiar with integrating the element of fun in education, even in physical education class. Especially for young learners, PE activities when made with engagement children are much likely to follow the teacher's instruction rather than yawning across the screen. Music can be an essential motivator. Also, try using a variety that fits student’s home environment as well as their routines.
Maintaining Safety
This one is a must-have guideline for all physical education classes, irrespective of the learning space. As it goes the same even in remote learning, PE teachers need to ensure safety guidance, also somewhat rethink how the guideline applies in a virtual setting. While you cannot be with them during these sessions, you can ask their parents to monitor them during physical activities.
Here Are 3 Online Resources For PE Teachers To Navigate Remote Learning –
- PE Central – this is a website for PE/gym teachers. You can find creative lesson plans that can be completed in both online and physical classrooms. there are activities for different grades and you can use the filters on grade, type of activity, or skill you want to explore. There is also an option for at-home PE skills to use in remote learning.
- P.E. Games (Elementary) – A great resource center for nursery teachers, this website offers warm-up and full-length activities for elementary P.E. programs. The idea is to keep children active and engaged while children enjoy the activities.
- PE Universe – with a free membership opportunity PE universe is more of idea sharing social media website designed for PE teachers that allows you to learn and share ideas with others. PE Universe is best for being creative and being a part of a community, perfect for educators with a strong desire to provide the very best in physical education.
- Special Olympics – A much needed handy resource for PE teachers. Special Olympics contributes towards children and adults with intellectual disabilities to help them discover new strengths and abilities and skills to develop physical fitness by offering year-round sports training and athletic competition with an array of Olympic-type sports.
- The PE Geek – The PE Geek website focuses on integrating 21st century technologies into physical activity and physical education. it consists of apps for mobile devices, blogs, and podcasts that focus on the use of technology in PE activities.
If we are to think about embracing the new normal, for PE teachers the key to engaging students in the remote setting is to ensure the use of space and items around the house. There are many common items like yoga mats, jump ropes, football/basketball that most students already have in their homes.
All of these comfortable adjustments are anyhow need to be made to keep up with the positive attitude and make physical education a useful and meaningful experience.
For nursery teachers to level up with the idea of 21st century teaching and to utilize their abilities and improvise efficient teaching skills, Nursery Teacher Training program can be helpful to apply creative aspects of your previous experience in the newfound way.
Written By : Aditi Rao
