A Convaluted Relationship

Technology may be used in may ways for physical education classes, but I feel the best use of it is to track and monitor progress.  Others may use it to teach a method such as how to run properly.  While a video may teach it well, the video cannot assess the students form and provide real time feedback for appropriate changes.  This is why know the content knowledge as a physical education instructor is imperative to be an effective and good teacher.  While you may use technology to introduce or explain how to throw, run, or kick a ball, you yourself must know all the facets of the skill as well along with the bio mechanics and be able to explain it without the use of technology and most importantly be able to assess the skill and provide feedback on it.  As a coach and middle school physical education teacher, it is frustrating to find that students lack the fundamentals in almost all areas of all sports these days. Are they not being taught these skills in elementary school or are they not being given feedback to fix their mistakes? Over the last decade there has also been a trend to the idea that everyone is a "winner" no matter what, and all that matters is that you try.  This methodology coupled with the lack of teaching of fundamentals has lead to a dramatic talent and success decrease in the sports programs in our area.  As a result, game attendances are down, which means less booster money for the school and less community pride.  Why are we teaching children that winning doesn't matter when sports and games are a perfect parallel to show that in life and in sports, hard work, dedication, determination, competitiveness, and the will to win will in fact ensure success.  Just as important, we must also teach children how to fail in the sense that we will all fail at something but cannot let failure deter our dreams and goals.