Mr Robbo

Top ‘Apps’ for PE Teachers – Part 8

Posted on January 19, 2012 by mrrobbo

Cardiograph is a super high quality app that tracks your heart rate via your devices camera. The best feature about this app is the capacity to create multiple profiles, making it perfect for a class full of students. Also if your running iOS 5 and using iCloud then all of your measurements will be synced to all of your devices instantly. A must have app. Also available for android

Workout Trainer

An awesome app that puts a personal trainer in your pocket. Contains 1000s of individualised training programs based on your level. Pair it with an Apple TV unit (see pic to left) to share the trainer with your entire class.

Easy Assessment

The app all Teachers should have for ensuring that they are gathering evidence behind their judgements of students skill levels. Simply use the app to develop simple slide rubrics and then capture video and images of students performing skills to assist with you evaluation. All results can then be emailed or synced with the videos/images to a dropbox account. Check out the demo of it in action here. Also coming soon to android.

GymPact

GymPact is a groovy app that allows users to make a pledge about how often they want to exercise and the penalty they are prepared to be pay if they fail to meet their goal. The user then “checks in” to the gym on arrival and the app goes to work tracking the users location for to ensure they stay at the gym. If the user meets their goals for the week, they can earn cash rewards, otherwise if they don’t meet their goals their credit card is debited based on the pledge they made at the beginning.

iCelsius

Turn your iPhone/iPad/iPod into a digital thermometer with this app and a set of probes. The works between a range of -30c to 150c. This would prove to be a useful addition when studying how body temperature rises when exercise commences, which can then lead to discussions about energy metabolism and recovery strategies.

Fit Freeway & Virtual Active

Exergaming finally hits the iPhone/iPad with these cool games that uses head tracking by the devices front facing camera to control the action on your screen. Used in conjunction with an exercise bike/elliptical/treadmill the basic premise is that the faster you move, the greater movements of your machine which the app tracks and therefore the faster your move the action in the game. Heaps of fun. Check out the promo video here

Sports Injury Clinic

A great little app with over 100 sports injuries along with treatment. Perfect for studying sports rehab and injury prevention subject areas.

Check out the other top app lists here – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4- Part 5 – Part 6 - Part 7 or grab the PE Apps app for a great one stop collection of the best PE apps.

Filed under: apps | 4 Comments »

Android Apps in PE

Posted on January 10, 2012 by mrrobbo

In recent months I have taken an interest in Android devices and as a result have purchased an Android phone strictly for development purposes and for testing apps. Considering that over 3.7 million Android devices were activated over the Xmas weekend, Android is clearly the mobile operating system with the greatest market share. With this in mind I thought I would share my top apps for Android.

SportsTracker Pro

This app has got to be the best tracking app I have ever come across. It not only allows the user to track their speed, distance, time, altitude etc via the GPS, but with additional hardware you can track your heart and breathing rates as well as your skin temperature. The best thing about this is the fact that a performer can be tracked live opening up a world of possibilities in the classroom.

Sports Rules

Developed with PE Teachers in mind this app contains the essential rules of 18 popular sports for swift reference. More sports will be added in time making this app the one stop shop for teachers prior to introducing a new sport.

Multi Reps

A great little app that guides you through a training program in pursuit of your ultimate goal. Users can pick either push-ups, situps, dips, squats, pull-ups or enter their own exercises. A great addition to circuit training and teaching students about concepts such as fixed load, individual load etc.

Endomondo Sports Tracker

Another sports tracking app that integrates well with social networks allowing you to challenge friends. Available in both free and pro versions.

Instant Heart Rate

From Azumio inc the makers of the best heart rate apps, comes this fantastic one which uses the devices camera to track heart rate. Works best in well lit areas or with devices that have a flash. Tracks the tiny colour changes that occur as a result of capillary refill.

Beep Test

Conduct the classic Multistage Fitness Test with your Android device. The app can keep track of multiple runners and also predict a V02 max on completion.

Sparticus Workout

The workout made famous by the movie 300 is now available as an app. A great app to assist with teaching around training and physiological responses to exercise (hypertrophy etc) See the demo here

Accupedo- Pro Pedometer

A superb pedometer app that employs a powerful algorithm to count the steps you take ignoring any movement that isn’t walking based. A great app to discuss the behavioural factors that effect physical activity. Teachers could use it to have students compare and contrast how your place of residence and workplace effect your activity throughout the day.

Workout Trainer

A really high quality workout app that guides your through workouts with audio and video cues. A great app to discuss how a training program should be developed and implemented.

Ease into 5K

The famous app that guides the hardiest couch potato to a complete 5km run. Users can then step up to the next level by completing the Ease into 10k app.

So there are some of the apps that I’m currently playing with and finding useful. However being a relative newbie to the world of Android apps, I would love to hear what others consider their best apps. Leave a comment below and I will be sure to include them in next blog post and the soon to be released “PE Apps” App – Android version.

Filed under: android, apps | Tagged: android | 4 Comments »

It’s Now Possible – eBook

Posted on January 6, 2012 by mrrobbo

Last year I discovered a truly magnificent website that allows anyone to publish there own books, which I put to good use last year to create “100+ Ways to Use Technology in Physical Education. So with almost a year since the last release, I thought now would be a good time to put out a second eBook of a similar style.

The Book which is titled “It’s Now Possible – Emerging Technologies & Physical Education‘, discusses a variety of cool tools and ways to integrate tech into the PE classroom. Chapters from the eBook are 1500 words each, different to articles from the blog and are identified below;

Why Use Technology in Physical Education
Using Social Networking to Get Kids Active and Healthy
Measuring Fitness & Physical Activity
Collecting Data from the Field
Reclaiming Physical Activity Time
Video Games in Physical Education
Cell Phones in Physical Education
GPS in Physical Education
Digital Video in Physical Education
Apps to Get You Moving – Part i, Part ii & Part iii

Grab it at the iTunes store here

Grab it on Lulu here (use the code LULUBOOKAU305 when purchasing to grab a 25% discount)

Grab it for Kindle here

Grab it for Nook here

Filed under: ebook | 5 Comments »

Apple TV In PE

Posted on January 5, 2012 by mrrobbo

Firstly I must say that I love my new Apple TV unit. The ability to search, purchase and play movies and tv shows instantly through my television is simply outstanding. To top it off I have been literally blown over by the ability to listen to all of my personal music collection via iCloud and iTunes Match. However the best feature is one that has tremendous application within the classroom;

iPad 2/iPhone 4s Complete Mirroring

By simply tapping the “AirPlay” button on a supported iOS 5 device, users can mirror exactly what is on their screen to the TV wirelessly. This means that as you use an app or show a video , it will be wirelessly beamed to the TV. Perfect.

With a setup like this the following becomes possible;

1) Use the Nike Training Club or Workout Trainer app to provide your class with your very own personal trainer. Given the mirroring is replicated in HD quality, the display can be much larger meaning that you don’t need to crowd around a small iPad screen for demonstrations.

2) Conduct live video analysis using apps like Coaches Eye or SportsCam. Where the teacher and students can engage in conversation surrounding performance.

3) Utilise an app like Instant Heart Rate or Vital Signs to provide students with opportunities to discuss physiological responses to exercise

4)Gather and display performance data using apps like PLATOSPORT, TimeMotion or Easy Tag

5) Create a nice visual display during fitness tests like the Bleep or YoYo Test. As athletes are running they can glance to see metrics like metres covered or levels achieved.

6) Use a workout Timer app like “Nike Boom” to help display info about sets, reps and other information during circuit training.

7)Easily showcase elite footage from YouTube or other online sources

8) Have students take pictures with school devices which share the same Apple ID as the Apple TV Unit. These pictures will then be instantly viewable via the Photostream thanks to iCloud. Alternatively pictures can be shared to a Flickr accounts and accessed directly from Apple TV which supports Flickr.

The list of possibilities goes on…..Its also worth mentioning that older iPhone and iPad units can still complete mirroring of simply videos and pictures. However won’t be able to mirror apps.

All of this for about US $120. Bargain

Filed under: appletv, apps | 4 Comments »

Easy Assessment App

Posted on December 18, 2011 by mrrobbo

As you will all be aware I have a major interest, some might say obsession with mobile applications. However one thing that has been lacking is an app that could replace/improve the assessment process that I currently use with my students. In order for an app to be a viable replacement, It would need to not only replicate what is possible using more traditional methods, but it should make the once impossible, possible and it should do it in a simple straight forward manner.

Well that was my intention behind the development of the Easy Assessment app, which I am happy to say was released on the iTunes store over the weekend. Not only does it allow for easy development of rubrics for assessment, but it makes use of the camera so that teachers can capture learning and make their subsequent assessments. Check out the video demo in action below or go ahead and grab the app.

Download Easy Assessment from the iTunes Store

Top features within the app include the capacity to sync all assessment data including a spreadsheet of results, videos and photos to your personal Dropbox.com account. Truly making it a breeze to backup and record evidence of learning.

Filed under: apps | 10 Comments »

Is Mobile Learning The Future? – Keynote

Posted on December 14, 2011 by mrrobbo

Earlier in the year I was lucky enough to be asked to present at the ECAWA Conference in Perth. Here is the video from the hour long keynote entitled ‘Is Mobile Learning the Future’?

Within the session I explore;

Mobile Saturation
My Mobile Day
App Development for Teachers
My Favourite Mobile Projects at Schools around the world
My Thoughts for the future of mobile learning

Check it out below

ECAWA 2011 – Keynote – Is Mobile Learning the Future

You can also grab the presentation files from the following link

Filed under: keynote, mlearning | 2 Comments »

Top ‘Apps’ for PE Teachers – Part 7

Posted on December 10, 2011 by mrrobbo

Endomondo Sports Tracker – An incredible app that allows you to record activity via the iPhones GPS. The best part about it is the fact that any activity you do becomes social, allowing your movement to be followed live via the Endomondo website. This gives students the option to send through messages of encouragement, or discuss physiological responses to exercise. A great free alternative to Runkeeper Elite subscription.

Stress Doctor – A true Biofeedback app has arrived for iPhone 4/4S and it is amazing. A perfect way to teach students about psychological methods that enhance sports performance. Stress Doctor visualizes respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) which, in layman’s terms, is the rising and falling of your heart rate when you breathe in and out. When you inhale, pressure in your chest drops and consequently your blood pressure drops as well. The app uses this biofeedback to take you through a deep breathing exercise that will make you feel more relaxed. By the makers of Instant Heart Rate, this is a really high quality app.

Vernier Video Physics – Video Physics is perfect for students and instructors. Perform on-the-go analysis of interesting motions. Measure the velocity of a child’s swing, a roller-coaster, or a car. Or, take a video of a basketball free throw shot. A great way to explore Biomechanics concepts or provide useful feedback to performers.

Excelade – Another high quality video analysis app, useful for its capacity to share performances to the Excelade website. Would be a fantastic way to teachers to record student skill development then assess online. The app is free to download but after 30 days the user is required to pay $9.99 to access to continue use. Well worth the investment.

HR Recovery – A clever little app useful for exploring heart rate responses to exercise. Use it to measure your resting heart rate, training heart rate or your recovery heart rate. The later can be used to indicate your cardiovascular fitness by providing you with a score, which can be tracked and improved over time.

FitDeck – A collection of high quality task cards for all sorts of fitness activities. Have students work their way through random activities, following the clear instructions. They can choose to complete a beginner, intermediate or advanced workout which is shown on the top right of each card. Simple and highly effective, with over 250,000 users this is a must have. Also comes in a Junior version.

Check out the other top app lists here – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4- Part 5 – Part 6 or grab the PE Apps app for a great one stop collection of the best PE apps.

Filed under: apps, mlearning | 1 Comment »

Thank You

Posted on December 6, 2011 by mrrobbo

Today I was truly wrapt to find out I had been nominated in the Edublog Awards for 2011. So this post is to thank those who took the time out to nominate the blog in the best teacher category. Although blogging for me has never been about recognition, it is nice to know that people enjoy reading it and find it useful. So thanks.

Feel free to vote for the blog here

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Some Simple GPS Ideas

Posted on November 29, 2011 by mrrobbo

As an Outdoor enthusiast I have always enjoyed the challenge of getting outside and exploring the natural environment. This enjoyment is what made me seek a career within the Physical and Outdoor Education fields. Flash forward to today’s students and there is sadly an ever growing mix of kids who simply do not leave their house during the course of the day.

Technology is often mentioned as one of the biggest distractions when it comes to today’s kids and their ability to get active. However technology can and should be used in a way that not only brings new possibilities but actively encourages kids to get off the couch and into the outdoors. Here are a few tools and activities that utilise Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that seek to do exactly that.

Geocaching

Geocaching which is actually pronounced geo-cashing, is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache anywhere in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS device can then try to locate the geocache. Check out the introductory video below.

A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammo boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value.

Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica After 10 years of activity there are over 1.1 million active Geocaches published on various websites devoted to the activity such as www.geocaching.com

How to use in your Physical Education/Outdoor Ed classroom?

Have your students race to find a series of Geocaches around your town that require them to work as a team to solve puzzles in order to receive the next geocache co-ordinate.
Complete an active revision session for an exam by hiding questions at geocaches around your school. Students then have to track them down and answer to move to the next cache. This is a really engaging and active way to revise, that gets your students out of the classroom. (for more information see my blog post at here)
Use Geocaching as a way to explore interesting natural environments in your local area. Simply setup geocaches at a point of interest and include a series of questions or discussion prompts for the location. This forces students to think that little bit deeper about the place they are visiting.
Use a series of geocaches on the school oval or local park to teach anatomical concepts. Basically each geocache would represent a piece of the human anatomy and students would walk around discovering the caches in a sequential order. For example a teacher could set up a chain of caches that took students through a simulation of how the blood or oxygen flows through the body. This would allow kinesthetic learning minded students the opportunity to cement their understanding.

To get started with Geocaching head over to www.geocaching.com and purchase a GPS handheld

Filed under: gps | 1 Comment »

20/20

Posted on November 23, 2011 by mrrobbo

With my recent fixation on mobile applications, I thought it would be worthwhile refocusing some attention to sharing the web2.0 tools I have used in classes recently. Here is my 20/20 presentation. 20 tools, 20 slides, 20 seconds a slide – no script. This could get messy….