As we know, physical well-being affects every aspect of a student’s life, including their mental health, academic prowess, self esteem, social competency and ability to function in any environment. Physical fitness and health are crucial, yet often neglected, elements in education. The number of sedentary children and adolescents in the U.S. continues to increase at an alarming rate. Today, almost one of every three kids and teens are overweight. These inactive students are turning into inactive, unhealthy adults — at high risk for heart disease and cancer, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Obesity, from lack of physical activity and poor lifestyle choices, has become a national epidemic with devastating physical, emotional, economic and social consequences.
Most would agree that quality health and physical education programs are imperative to combat the ever-growing burden of inactive, unhealthy kids. Many schools are making efforts to reform their PE programs — moving away from the traditional sports-only education (which is great for many students, but does not meet the needs of all) to lifestyle education programs that cater to students on an individual level. Some physical education programs are incorporating personalized fitness equipment, such as treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes that allow students to choose an exercise platform other than sports. Some schools are getting even more creative by incorporating games, such as Dance Dance Revolution that simply inspire students to get moving.
While everyone may not agree on the varying methodology, three goals that every PE teacher can agree on include:
- The importance of daily exercise for every student
- Helping students establish a habit of exercise
- Instilling the value of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle
How Does Online PE Fit Into All of This?
We know that one size does not fit all. Face to face physical education, we hope, will never become extinct. However, it may not work for everyone. Online PE provides just one more option to help students meet the goals outlined above — whether they don’t have room in their schedules, need to make up credit, have physical or mental needs, or are just looking for an alternative to the norm.
How Does it Work and What Are the Benefits?
Everything about an online PE program is personalized! Students complete a personal fitness assessment, set goals, and create their own workout schedule. They work at improving their own fitness level and aren’t comparing themselves to anyone else in the class.
Carone Fitness offers online health and physical education courses for middle and high school students
nationwide. Stephanie, a Carone Fitness student, said the following, “When I am in a traditional PE class, I always feel pressured by the other students there. It makes me self conscious about how well I do to the point of slacking off. This is obviously a very bad thing. [Online PE] helps relieve the pressures of feeling like I am being compared.”
In addition to a personalized program, online academic lessons, quizzes, and assignments teach students fitness principles and help them apply the lessons to their own lives. Carone Fitness student, Heidi, felt this was ideal for her.
“I am learning things I never knew about fitness . . . the benefits, styles, and methods of physical fitness,” says Heidi. “Now that I understand a little more about ways to train properly, I am more motivated to work out and less apt to slack off.”
Students can also tailor their workouts to meet their needs, likes, fitness level and schedules. By completing activities they enjoy, students are more likely to stick with their program long term. It also forces students to evaluate their schedules and decide when and how to incorporate exercise. This sets students up for the “real world” — when they go to college, enter the workforce, or have families and have to juggle exercise with their busy schedules.
According to Rebekah Richards, Chief Academic Officer of the American Academy, “These courses really prepare students for a world of personal fitness with online accountability and feedback tools.”
While accountability is an issue in any online or face-to-face class, it is certainly at the forefront of concerns in a successful online PE course. Students in an online PE course must keep detailed track of their physical activity — including times, heart rates and activity details. In addition, these fitness logs require parent or adult verification.
According to online PE teacher, Maryon Wallentine, “As teachers in a virtual environment, we realize that we are unable to monitor student activity. We do rely on adult verification, and it is a system that works. It is actually easier than one might think to tell when a student is trying to ‘get away with’ falsifying information on a fitness log.”
“Initial, clear expectations about the course requirements and close communication between the student, parent, and teacher are critical components to ensuring success in an online PE course,” states Katie Carone, director of Carone Fitness.
In addition to parental supervision, additional verification options are available, such as heart rate monitors that upload student workout information to an online site.
Other valid questions about demonstrating technique and providing feedback often accompany online PE. According to Carone, “Our courses include video or photo assignments that allow students to record themselves and submit clips to the teacher for evaluation. In addition, something unique to the Carone Fitness suite of courses is our Exercise Library. The library contains over 200 exercises with descriptions, pictures, and videos where students can view proper modeling.”
Whether students are in a face-to-face class or virtual environment, the goals remain the same. The most important thing is that students are exercising, developing a habit and establishing a healthy lifestyle. Online physical education is just one more venue to empower students in their goal of lifelong fitness.