Wii in Adapted PE?? Wii in Adapted PE!!

I am thankful to adapted physical education teacher Amy Wellik from Mounds View Pubic Schools for being a guest blogger this week! Amy brings to our attention the important subject regarding how active gaming can be beneficial when teaching adapted physical education. As she makes clear, children with disabilities not only enjoy and desire active gaming, but are capable of finding great success at the activies. Here is what Amy has shared:

Teaching students with disabilities in an Adapted Physical Education (Adapted PE) setting has many similarities to teaching Physical Education to students in the general setting. Students with disabilities are more like their non-disabled peers than not. They like pizza, Disney channel, pop music and technology. They recognize and have the ability to use iPads, iPhones, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii.
And just like their peers, keeping motivated, interested and MOVING is a challenge.
Adapted PE teachers and PE teachers need to be creative and innovative about using technology in their gyms.
When I first introduced Nintendo Wii into my Adapted PE classes, it was an “experiment”.
I was not sure how my students would respond and how successful they would be. I quickly discovered that the majority of my students were familiar with the Nintendo Wii and they were thrilled to use it in school.
Two years later, I have successfully incorporated a variety of games, activities and exercises into my Adapted PE curriculum.
If the goal is participation, movement and improved fitness levels, Nintendo Wii is an excellent solution.
Nintendo Wii Activities I have used in Adapted PE:
• Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):Wii Fit (Basic run) Wii Sports (Bowling, Boxing training) Just Dance, Just Dance Kids
• Students with Physical Disabilities: Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Just Dance
• Students with Visual Impairments: Wii Fit (Basic run) Wii Sports (Bowling, Boxing training)
• Students with Cognitive Disabilities: Just Dance, Just Dance Kids, Wii Sports , Wii Fit
Technology is in our schools, classrooms and in our gyms. This generation of students understands how to interact with technology and they are motivated by technology. Incorporating technology into any Physical Education class will enhance learning, increase fitness levels and improve participation.

Thank you Amy!