Gaming+in+Physical+Education

= = =**__Changes in the Videogame Industry __**=

When we look at video games in the media today, the focus is on violent games and inappropriate content. Many of the most popular games that we see currently are war-like shooters with a high quality of violence and mature themes. These are games that have a player sitting on his/her couch for hours on end with the only exercise the players gets is to get up to grab a snack. However, modern gaming has advanced to a point where the idea of having a player sitting on their behind all day is beginning to change. Advances in technology have begun to change how a person plays video games. Adaptations and modifications to the controllers which allow for movement control are one of the newest innovations. In one case in particular, the idea of a controller has been thrown out the window and a player actually uses his or her own body to control the game.

=__**Why use Videogames in Education? **__=

Videogames are a large part of the culture in many parts of the world. A large percentage of today’s youth, and even adults spend a great deal of their free time playing videogames of one kind of another. In the years past bringing these games into a classroom wouldn’t serve much purpose, but with today’s technology we can incorporate gaming in education, particularly physical education, and use it to engage students in healthy physical activity that they may not be getting outside of school. The Nintendo Wii, Playstation Move and Xbox 360 Kinect systems are great ways to promote physical activity and exercise while playing videogames.

All three of these systems can be used to teach and practice many of the skills that physical education teachers already attempt to pass on to their students. Manipulation skills can be emphasized while using the Wii and Playstation Move systems as they still require the use of a controller. Stability skills, along with cardiovascular endurance and flexibility would also be very present while playing the games. The Kinect system for the Xbox 360 uses the student’s entire body as the controller so the development of body manipulation and special awareness would be very beneficial to the students.

=**__Nintendo Wii__ **= = =

The Nintendo Wii was the first big innovation into motion technology for gaming consoles. With its state of the art Wii-mote which corresponded with the motion sensor, it created a whole new way to play and view video games. When it was first introduced, the Wii came with Wii Sports, a game which allowed you to get active and have a lot of fun at the same time. While some aspects of Wii Sports required limited movement, such as a simple flick of the wrist to play tennis. The boxing mode requires full body engagement, including: arm swings, side to side movement and quick movements to avoid punches.

Today you can get games such as Wii fit which allow you to have an actual workout regimen and keep track of weight loss, heart rate, and other statistics for creating a healthy lifestyle. In the school setting, the Wii fit has been used in Physical Education classes to encourage healthy lifestyle changes and having a healthy body. Many schools have invested money into buying the Wii and the Wii fit step pads to use in the gym because it is a fun way to get students active.



=**__Xbox 360 Kinect__ **=

Microsoft went one step further with motion technology and came out with a system that was completely controlled through motion and did not require any type of remote or controller. This opened up a whole new plethora of opportunities for games like UFC and Dance Central which were not limited to controller play. They require the user to engage their entire body into each and every game.

Playing these high intensity games like Dance Central is extremely enjoyable and also gives users a chance to increase cardiovascular fitness and achieve weight loss. The newer generation of games include options to record your body weight, height, and build and incorporate them into a personalized workout regimen. Some include heart rate monitors as well to allow users to keep track of target heart rate and cardiovascular training.

This system could be very useful in the gymnasium for designing workout programs to get students active and is more cost efficient because it does not require you to purchase additional remotes or gaming pads to engage all of your students. It can also be used to work on a dance unit a Phys Ed teacher may be trying to approach, but does not know how. There are many games that teach dance moves and are also fun and entartaining.



=**__Playstation Move__ **=

Sony released their Playstation Move shortly after the Kinect was released. Many people saw it as a step back from the Kinect, because it required the motion controller, but this system is far smoother than the Wii and works almost flawlessly with the motion sensors. Sony released a wide range of games that are beneficial to users' personal health. New titles such as UFC Personal Trainer are focused on Physical Fitness first and foremost while still being extremely entertaining and fun.