Get Connected: Insight on Microsoft Kinect

Thank you to Natalie Hunter from Seattle who works with onlineschools.org for being our guest blogger and providing us with insight about the popular Microsoft Kinect active video game. Thank you Natalie!

In the past, playing video games was often a sedentary activity which involved little use of one’s body. Other than pressing keys or moving a controller, video games would rarely require one to exert any degree of physical effort. As we move into the modern age, society is choosing to spend ore time staring at screens at home and at work as well as moving toward to taking classes from onlineschools.org instead of being physically active. However, thanks to gaming developments like the Kinect, at least playing in our free time doesn't also have to be that way. The Kinect requires no controller other than the player's body, and precisely tracks body movements as one plays. Today, P.E. teachers can incorporate video games into their classes through the use of the many games for the Kinect designed for exercise.

One Kinect game that is excellent for P.E. teachers who wish to use video games for exercise is Your Shape Fitness Evolved. The game begins by determining one’s goals and selecting a corresponding virtual personal trainer who can help reach these goals. Your Shape Fitness Evolved includes yoga, martial arts classes, and many other various games that can effectively burn calories while providing fun.

Another fun, highly active Kinect game is called Dance Central. Dance Central is a sort of evolved version of the ever-popular Dance Dance Revolution that incorporates the movements of the entire body, coordinating dance moves to classic songs like Jungle Boogie or modern pop music like Lady Gaga. Although this game does not provide the in-depth, detailed workout programs that are found in Your Shape Fitness Evolved, many students may find the dancing aspect of the game to be more appealing than yoga or martial arts classes.

These are just a few examples of active games that can be played on the Kinect, but there are dozens more. With the ability to keep track of the whole body, there are so many possibilities to keep kids active with their entire bodies and with their minds as well. With so many options available, meeting one’s daily exercise requirements can be as fun and simple as loading up a
video game.