HiTechHall’s Tech Waves

Obesity rates are skyrocketing in most developed countries, and in many underdeveloped ones. Even nations traditionally famous for their healthy diets such as Japan are seeing a real increase in childhood obesity and related diseases.

When I was in Tokyo a few years ago, I remember witnessing a group of chubby school kids trundling out of a McDonald’s, just like kids do back in the States, where being overweight is less of a surprise. It occurred to me then that this might have grown to become a worldwide phenomenon.

Since then, I’ve read studies that confirm my suspicion. I also recall reading that some health researchers predict that mortality rates in many countries may reverse their normal downward course and actually begin to rise due to this increase in caloric over-consumption.

Another worldwide phenomenon, the dependence on labor-saving technology tools, is also on the rise. Is our modern sedentary lifestyle, focused largely around the computer, to blame for our increase in obesity? There’s no question in my mind that it is. But here I’d like to discuss a few ways that schools are actually using technology tools to try to combat the “success” that computers have had in making all of our lives too physically “easy.”

Crooms Academy of Information Technology, a magnet high school in Florida, has created a technology-rich PE curriculum which not only uses technology to keep kids healthier and better coordinated, but reinforces math, science, reading and writing skills as well. Their PE curriculum uses a mix of stationary FX Cycles, Sony PlayStation with ATC Motocross, Dance Dance Revolution (a video game that directs players to where to dance on a wired floor pad), and pedometers and heart rate monitors.

Students are trained to calculate their stride length and heart-rate zones. Then they use this information with a pedometer and heart rate monitor to calculate the number of calories burned during exercise. While wearing the monitors, students engage in activities that include riding the FX Cycles while watching the ATC Motocross on a video screen, or playing the Dance Dance Revolution game.

After these sessions, kids wirelessly connect their monitors to computers and upload their individual health statistics, which are displayed in a multitude of ways using installed software. Every sessions’ stats are recorded by the software, providing a health time-line for each student.

Another program that connects technology to physical education and health is taking place at Tuttle Middle School in Indiana. This 1:1 laptop school initiated their “wellness program” for grades 6-8 in 2002, but due to it’s success, has expanded it down to 3rd grade and up through high school.

The program is based on partnerships with Polar, a major manufacturer of heart-rate monitors, and a local hospital. The Polar monitors record student’s cardiovascular data, and the accompanying software lets them measure various data such as flexibility and upper body strength. The school also uses a body fat analysis machine.

Another unique feature of Tuttle’s program is quarterly visits by EMTs and nurses from the local hospital, who provide blood pressure screenings for the students. This information, and all the rest, is combined, analyzed and ultimately put into an 18-page health profile for each student to continually update.

These are just two programs using technology in unique and creative ways that I wanted to tell you about. I think that technology, when thoughtfully and appropriately applied, really can make our lives better. And possibly even longer.

If you are interested in learning more, check out the Polar Education site, which has lesson plans, free training information, etc.