After recently being crowned the 2010 word of the year by the American Dialect Society, “Apps” have reached an unprecedented level with well over 600,000 currently available on the app store. The tremendous possibility that they bring to the classroom cannot be overstated, with PE Teachers from all over the world investing in and trialling their uses within the classroom.
In recent months the level of take up and interest has reached new heights with an over 3000% increase in the number of Google searches related to mobile applications in PE. This search echoes the desire for new users to identify a series of apps that could be considered the PE Apps starter package. Heres my list of must have apps for new users.
Coache’s Eye is the premier video analysis app available on iPhone/iPad/iPod and Android devices. The app is an absolute must have and brings exceptional insight to your Physical Education classes. Simply point and shoot your desired footage and tap to begin an instant on the spot analysis. Users can finely tune the footage the exact frame using the ‘fly wheel’ at the bottom. You can then use the drawing tools to complete a telestration emphasising the important aspects of the performance. The really exciting addition to the app which takes it to the next level, is its ability to create a voice over recording during the video analysis. This recording can then be shared via Text Message, Email, YouTube or other social media platforms making it the easiest and most powerful way to improve performance. The following video showcases the power of Coaches Eye http://youtu.be/qARthGvklmc
The Easy Assessment app has been designed specifically for PE Teachers with an aim of capturing and swiftly assessing student performance in Physical Education. The app enables teachers to quickly setup class lists and develop weighted rubrics in a matter of minutes. The app really shines with the addition of photos and videos making it possible for teachers to film and collect evidence to strengthen the numerical assessment. This assessment data can then be exported via email or direct to a dropbox account. Find out why this app has been top 5 in over 20 countries.
The easiest way to produce beautiful slow motion videos. A great free way to explore movement and sports action in any context. Simply point and shoot your footage as normal, and then tap to begin your edit. The edit screen brings up a set of controls with the ability to change the playback speed to one of 8 different options. The app takes it to the next level with the super slow features bringing over 500 frames per second to 1000 frames per second playback. With this feature students can explore and identify key aspects of their performance with true precision.
The most exceptional video feedback app I have seen on an iOS device. With this app you can simultaneously record and display delayed video. This means that a PE Teacher can have the app pointed towards any sort of discrete skill and after the skill has been completed the performer has adequate time to return to the screen to see their skill in action. Where this app takes it to the next level is its ability to allow a grid of 4 different video delay timers effectively creating 4 opportunities to view your performance (See the picture below). The user can then specify a different delay time for each grid and dynamically alter the delay by swiping up or down with their finger on the grid. This app is a must have for PE Teachers and sports coaches who are keen to take performance analysis to the next level. Use it in gymnastics, dance, track and field or during skill development. The possibilities are endless and especially enhanced with the addition of an iPod/iPad Tripod.
The app designed for PE Teachers to effectively capture skill development and sports skill portfolios in a flash. Simply setup portfolios for your students and throughout the semester, capture them in action in a variety of ways. Teahcers can in a matter of seconds add video, photos, audio notes, documents and more to an ongoing ePortfolio. You can then share portfolios to Dropbox or via email or showcase them from within the app. A perfect tool for assessment and discussion prompts within parent teacher interviews. Take the pressure off by involving students within the evidence gathering process.
CoachNote is an exceptional app that allows users to record set plays and game strategies for a variety of team sports. The coach simply drags the icons onto the screen to represent the players and can then record the movement of the players and the ball as they narrate. This app fits perfectly into any Games Sense or TGFU class, where students are responsible for developing deeper understanding of the tactics and strategies within the games they play. Teachers can also utilise the apps recording function to allow students to demonstrate their game understanding like this brilliant example from a student at Yokohama International School
MusicWorkout is a unique interval timer that utilises your music to inform you when it’s time to rest and time to work. Perfect for teachers, coaches, trainers or anyone looking to structure lessons or group rotations. Simply add a workout selecting the warm up, work duration, rest duration and the number of repetitions and your music will guide you through the activity. Choosing from one of three different rest settings the app will either pause the music, lower the volume or sound a bell when its time to rest. This audible signal means that you can focus on the session and not the stopwatch or timer.
Simple application that allows you to do statistical recording within sports. Users can very quickly setup a game panel with tiles dedicated to specific actions the user wishes to observe (see the image below). The user then taps the events as they observe them throughout the game play, ultimately completing a statistical analysis. The perfect tool for getting key performance indicators within games. Have injured students do recording during practical classes to provide insight into game play. Results can then be exported directly to email for further analysis. Also available for Android devices.
a unique timer and photo finish app that employs the same techniques as the professional equipment used at the Olympics. Start the timer and point the camera towards the finish line. sprintTimer will build an image of narrow slices of the finish line. You can then scroll along the photo to get the time when each competitor crosses the finish line with a 0.01 s resolution. The image can then be saved for record keeping. To top it off the timer can also be activated by a button touch or automatically by sensing the gun sound.
Cardiograph is a super high quality app that tracks your heart rate via your devices camera. The app uses the tiny colour changes that occur during capillary refill in your finger to determine your heart rate with astonishing level of accuracy. The best feature about this app is the capacity to create multiple profiles, making it perfect for a class full of students. In the past this has been used to track heart rate variance over a period of time and discuss how these changes occur. The other advantage to using this HR option is the less invasive nature when compared to a traditional chest strap. Also available for android
With a total overall price tag of $19.42 the above mentioned apps will be sure to enable a vast array of possibilities in the PE classroom without breaking the budget.
With hundreds of other other apps that could have been included in the app starter package I would love to find out what your thoughts are. What are you must have apps for a new user?