Physical Education Gone Virtual in Response to COVID and Unique Need
November 22, 2020
A virtual physical education course was added recently for students to take in order to earn their credits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve started to see more and more students with mental health supports and needs that may not be able to be met by an in person physical education class,” Associate Principal Tim Kachur said.
This class, PE Portfolio 2, was first introduced during the summer following the 2019-’20 school year. The Board of Education did not want any students to funnel through its doors during the summer because of the global pandemic.
Productivity and the degree of completion has also been an issue when dealing with online courses. How will this class ensure that kids are learning and staying productive?
Clearly, the school needed to brainstorm ideas for an alternative option for students to still complete the course without coming to school and taking the risk of contracting the illness.
After many hours of research, the board was able to find a solution.
The school is using Welnet (an online activity tracker and personal wellness website) to carry out its plan. Through Welnet, kids are able to create a portfolio that includes information about a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, vocabulary, and a guide to a personal workout.
Currently, this course is being instructed by Mrs. Mary Shandonay who teaches the importance of logging daily physical activity into Welnet. Shandonay stresses the value of learning lifetime fitness.
Within the district, Welnet is used in almost every physical education class. According to Jason Barber, physical education teacher, Welnet is user friendly and allows teachers to view each and every student’s activity and behavioral logs. On the other hand, this class does not force kids to participate in any form of physical activity.
“Allowing the student at his or her pace at his or her time to work, we utilized this PE Portfolio 2 course,” Associate Principal Tim Kachur said about how this course is used for the benefit of the students.
The Glossary of Education Reform also says that personal portfolios are most effective when they are utilized to demonstrate the students’ growth, understanding and learning. Portfolios are like benchmarks. They show the teacher student progress and help them visualize what students may need additional help on.
Following this course, there have been two other virtual options, which have also been implemented by the department. The courses are called PE Online 1 and PE Online 2. Apart from PE portfolio 2, these courses will only be provided when necessary. As it was said before, PE Online 1 and 2 are for the students who are physically or mentally incapable of completing the course on their own. This course is an outlet for students rather than an obligation.
“We can offer this class to as a way of reducing their stress,” Kachur said in reflection about the accessibility of this course past this school year to individuals.
After the 2020-’21 school year, PE Online 1 and 2 will only be available to those who are not able to participate in physical activity or struggling with mental health while PE Portfolio 2 may be an alternative option forever.
NHS has to make a multitude of changes to its curriculum during the season of COVID-19. From schedule changes to new courses, NHS has been taking action by doing what is best for the students mentally and physically.
Loading ...
Ella Schroeder • Mar 12, 2021 at 10:39 AM
I have not taken a gym class in the last year, so it is interesting to find out how NJSD is adapting to COVID related issues with taking PE classes. I used Welnet my freshman year and it was a great way to track my health, so I am glad to see they are still utilizing it!
Jenna Johanknecht • Mar 12, 2021 at 10:38 AM
The one thing I’d say about Welnet is that students are able to cheat their way through the course by adding in false information. They can still log in whatever will make the gym teacher think they are doing, but in actuality the student has put in no work. Especially during these times, students who learn from home are finding it harder and harder to focus on their work and instead procrastinate.
Natalie McNeely • Mar 12, 2021 at 10:37 AM
As a student in a hybrid Adventure Education Leadership gym class right now, I wonder if virtual is really the best for students. From my experience, virtual students are less likely to complete assignments with a lack of materials and spend most of their time in a dark room on zoom while they watch us demonstrate certain skills.
Emlyn Swardenski • Dec 16, 2020 at 10:03 AM
Online PE seems like a fantastic idea! I took an online PE course over this last summer and found it very engaging and helpful. I would love to see more kids being able to have that experience.
Colin McClowry • Dec 2, 2020 at 2:58 PM
Before reading this I would not have wanted to take physical education online. but this article makes it sound a lot more appealing!
Peyton Phelps • Dec 2, 2020 at 2:05 PM
This article makes me wonder if kids are really getting the same exercise they would be from a regular gym class.
Rachel Jones • Dec 2, 2020 at 10:29 AM
I had to do virtual PE over spring of 2020 when we first moved online. It was alright, but I didn’t get anything out of the course after we went online.
Jacob Lind • Dec 2, 2020 at 9:35 AM
I wonder what kind of activities they do without use of school facilities and equipment. Teachers must be getting pretty creative.
Grace Randall • Dec 2, 2020 at 9:28 AM
I was a bit skeptical at first about online gym classes, more about how they would tell if students actually did them rather then if it was possible, but this seems to make sense. If students don’t just lie on wellnet.
ELLIANA KING • Dec 2, 2020 at 9:10 AM
I didn’t know there were virtual PE options. PE Portfolio 2 is a great way for students to learn life long skills.
Payton McClowry • Dec 2, 2020 at 9:02 AM
As a student not taking a gym class this year, it is very interesting to learn what NHS is doing for gym classes this year. Very well written article as well!
kaitlin miller • Nov 24, 2020 at 9:33 AM
Wow COVID has really changed the way we live and the way we think.
Aidan • Nov 24, 2020 at 9:30 AM
I feel as if this only works if the students are willing to get up and workout while at home.
Gavin Missall • Nov 24, 2020 at 9:02 AM
What I’ve acknowledged from the article is students who are getting mental health issues due to the Covid-19 disease that couldn’t be controlled which is the number one reason why the 2020-2021 high school year has change into virtual learning for all students.