Active Gaming and Learning

Recently, a great deal of literature has surfaced discussing the concept of video game literacy. This is great news; except, the video game play mentioned is considered sedentary behavior. Exergaming, a form of active gaming, turns traditional, sedentary video game play into a physical activity. So this makes exergaming a perfect fit for physical education, right? Not exactly; not even close.

Exergaming in a physical education classroom may appear to be an innovative approach to promote physically active behaviors. Students are "busy, happy, and on task" all with red faces and smiling. Who could ask for anything more? I hope quality physical education teachers would ask for much more. They would ask themselves, "What are the students learning today?" More importantly, the answer would not be, "How to play Toy Story 3 or Dance Dance Revolution." When implementing exergaming in the physical education classroom, lessons should focus on developmentally appropriate objectives supported by National standards. Here are a few answers that would be appropriate depending on the designed lesson:

1. Students will be able to identify light, moderate, and vigorous intensity levels using active gaming and traditional activities.
2. Students will be able to perform a forehand using the specified cues while exploring the rules for how to play tennis (both singles and doubles) participating in three different active gaming stations and mini sided tennis games.
3. Students will maintain a heart rate in their target heart rate zone using active gaming and jump rope activities.

Active gaming activities should be used as a tool to accomplish learning objectives. Feedback from teachers should be specific to the learning objectives and not focused on the success the students are experiencing in the game. General feedback is appropriate and motivating; however, the focus of the lesson must remain on the learning objectives at hand.

The good news is that research is suggesting students can learn through the play of video games. Exergaming is an appropriate tool to encourage learning and promote physical activity as long as physical education teachers implement the activities using best practices. Make sure your students are not simply learning how to play a video game – exergaming should be much more to you and your students.