Due to COVID-19, teacher candidates in the 2019/20 Bachelor of Education program have had to quickly adapt their teaching and learning styles through the use of online platforms. We are showcasing some of the wonderful examples of projects created by them as part of the community field experience.
Rachel Piitz
Secondary (Business Education and Physical Education)
- What is the name of the community partner or group you are working with?
- John Oliver Secondary School
- What is your project’s subject area(s)?
- Business marketing, communication and physical & health education (PHE)
- Tell us about your project!
- PHE with Ms. P is a website for John Oliver students and the surrounding community. Currently, there are limited resources for John Oliver students. The website was developed to help support students with ‘at-home’ fitness. The website provides students with clear physical activity instruction from a familiar and trusted source. Each week for the entirety of May, three new workouts will be published. The home workouts include limited to no equipment, to allow for student engagement in physical education. Each workout is 20 to 30 minutes and targets various parts of the body, while varying in perceived exertion. John Oliver students will be able to access the website and support their daily physical activity goals.
- Did you face any particular challenges in the planning, making or delivery of this project?
- During the first week I made it a goal to have my website published with three home-workouts. I completed this goal, which made me very happy. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but it was worth it. The biggest challenge was filming the workouts. The workouts are filmed with an iPhone—you could say they are low production. I’ve never filmed a workout before. It’s harder than it looks. In my first workout I was a little nervous, so I feel I went too fast. When you’re in the classroom or gym, you get that instant feedback through facial expressions. You can tell if students are understanding or use small indicators to check for understanding. Standing behind a camera you don’t get that instant check. I find that to be the most challenging part for both teaching remotely and creating these home workouts.
Additionally, during the first week, I was very considerate of the exercises I was choosing. I tried to pick exercises the students would be familiar with and some new ones that would help get their heart rates up. However, it’s hard to tell how students would fair with these exercises and the workout for that matter. I’m confident with my selection, but I did miss the ability to see the students doing the exercise in live time. As a teacher, it is much easier to adapt your lesson if it is too difficult. For each exercise I tried to give an alternative/easier version if they were available. A big emphasis for each workout was the importance of getting physical activity. I talked about how these workouts will tie into their routine nicely.
- How was the project received? Did anything surprise you about the outcome?
- The project is very well received. Both the PHE department and my sponsor teacher/school advisor (SA) were very impressed. My concern for exercise selection was removed as my SA mentioned how appropriate the content was for the time and for John Oliver students (where they are at physically). The content would be a huge challenge for some students, but they can do their best and take breaks when needed by pausing the video. My SA congratulated me on finding a middle ground where I have challenged the largest majority of our students appropriately with these workouts.
- Can you tell us about a highlight of creating this remote lesson plan?
- A highlight for me was having the website published and seeing my vision come to life. Of course, I wish I had all the ‘bells and whistles’ to film a higher production workout video. I’m very happy with how it turned out and how it will support John Oliver students and the community. I believe it is a great experience had I wish to do something like this again.
- What media did you use to create your project?
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- iPhone camera
- Google sites
- Where can we view your project?
- sites.google.com/view/phe-with-ms-p/home