Jessica Adams

Technology as a window into the heart
Friday, 12:45p - 2:00p, Business Center

Biography

Dr. Jessica Adams has been integrating technology into her high school and college courses since she began teaching physical education in 1999. She ran one of the first pilot courses with the iBook initiative which utilized an online and in class health and physical education program. Jessica has integrated heart rate in her courses grades 5-university level. She is also one of the first college professors in the nation to integrate portable PDAs and heart rate monitors in her teacher preparation program.

Dr. Adams recently received her Ph.D. in Educational Research and Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami (May, 2007). She received her M.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2002 and her B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Virginia Tech in December 1998.

Abstract

Technology can now be utilized by physical educators as a window into the heart. Heart Rate monitors have evolved a great deal since their first application in the U.S. Olympics. Now we have the capacity to view real time heart rates, set training parameters, and download the information directly into a grading database. Physical educators can quantitatively evaluate students’ effort by minutes spent in designated training zones. Additionally, PDAs can be used to track attendance, on task behavior, and performance. All of the information can be uploaded directly to a student report.

Heart rate monitors and PDAs can be utilized as an awakening for the community taking physical education beyond the confines of the gymnasium. This break through technology offers high tech visual approach to maintaining student records. Description of Activities, Projects, and Solutions: According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report this is the first generation projected to live shorter and unhealthier lives than their parents. Therefore, it is time for Physical Education to move into the 21st century. Technology can now be utilized by physical educators as a window into the heart. Heart Rate monitors have evolved a great deal since their first application in the U.S. Olympics. Now we have the capacity to view real time heart rates, set training parameters, and download the information directly into a grading database. Physical educators can quantitatively evaluate students effort by minutes spent in designated training zones. Additionally, PDAs can be used to track attendance, on task behavior, and performance. All of the information can be uploaded directly to a student report.

We are currently using heart rate monitors to evaluate the FIT program (fitness intervention training program) which has been implemented in a local high school. The purpose of the program is to empower students to develop and modify their own programs. Incorporating the heart rate monitor technology provides students with direct feedback from their bodies. This allows students to individualize their fitness programs. Kean University is in the process of integrating heart rate monitors with our Evaluation in Physical Education courses. This will provide future physical educators hands on experience of how technology can be an asset to their program.

Additionally, PDAs are incorporated to integrate the information from the heart rate monitors with attendance, on task behavior, fitness performance, and virtually any other individualized parameters that each teacher chooses to track. All of the information is compiled in a single database creating a comprehensive report. These reports are ideal for parent conference and interim report time. Kean University is also running the first High Tech 5k to educate students, faculty, staff, and the community about the beneficial effects of technology on exercise programming. This 5k will be held at the first annual “Countering Obesity through Exercise and Nutrition Conference” on October 3-4, 2008. Each runner will wear a heart rate monitor for the duration of the race. Upon completion, each runner will receive a print out of their heart rate throughout the race. Outcome: This technology provides concrete quantitative feedback to students, parents, teachers, administrators and members of the community regarding student and teacher progress. Lesson quality can be evaluated by reviewing heart rate print outs for each class. Programming can be tailored to the individual needs for all students, rather than the traditional one size fits all approach.

During fitness programming each student is instructed to stay within the safe limits of his/her training zone. Effort will be gauged by heart rate rather than traditional performance outcomes such as the mile run time. School administrators can utilize the heart rate outputs to evaluate the quality of physical education programming offered in schools. Activity levels of students can gauge the quality of physical education class. Texas has recently set a minimum number of minutes for each student to spend in the aerobic training zone. If NJ follows suit, heart rate print outs could serve as documentation of aerobic activity. Physical educators can apply the PDA and heart rate monitor technology for personal program evaluation, parent conferences, grading, and community education. Heart rate can be applied as a quantitative evaluation of student effort. Minutes spent at or above the designated training zone can be a portion of grading. Cross curricular programs can be implemented through coordination with health, mathematics, and science teachers.

The community can benefit from outreach programs by the school. Schools can have members of the community wear a heart rate monitors for a day, and the outputs can be posted on a bulletin board according to job description. University faculty should be introducing the latest technology to prepare successful future educators. This technology can be incorporated in courses. Kean University is currently teaching by example in Evaluation in Physical Education. Teachers School Administrators Community Members Parents University Faculty PE Manage Tri-Fit Software Heart Rate Monitors for display and use