One caveat of online education is the lack of physical activity. It seems this generation of learners is more interested in video games and the Internet than going outside to play.
Can schools that offer web-assisted learning still help students stay fit?
DanceDance Revolution’s new classroom edition may hold the answer.
Working with UnitedHealthcare, American Diabetes Association, The National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and Let’s Move in Schools, Konami Digital Entertainment created a fun way for students to exercise through interactive gaming.
With up to 48 students being able to participate simultaneously, teachers can track their individual students progress. Teachers can see the students step progress, body mass index, and number of calories burned.
Students follow the choreographed dance routines set to popular music, not even realizing they are exercising. It is a fun way to help lower childhood obesity.
Brick-and-mortar schools in Longwood, Florida, Gainesville, Georgia, and Fresno, Texas are trying it out. Studies show that playing DanceDanceRevolution for 40 minutes is equivalent to a 5K run!
Another innovation is Intellect Motion’s “Play for Health”. Although still in the design phase, this contraption uses your body’s movements for running, twisting and more to power the movements in an open source PC gaming system.
With the high price tag of $10,000 the product seems to be a ways off from mass in home use. However, web-enabled schools and day care centers may opt for this system to help engage students in physical activity.
Should schools start implementing video gaming exercise programs? Weigh in below!
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