I have played around with a few gadgets in class over the years to try and mesh tech and the outcomes of my PE programs. I played around with cheap GPS data loggers and found they could be useful for analysing player movement in a game situation, just like the pros., for a fraction of the cost.
I’ve owned a GoPro camera for a while now and I’ve used it mainly for recording my cycling adventures. In the process of using it to help make a school promotional video, I discovered that the GoPro had potential in PE class for studies and analysis from players POV (Point of View).
Most people have access to a recording device of some sort, so a GoPro isn’t a prerequisite, but the development they have put into into the mounts make it a very usable device for physical activity. The footage from a chest mounted camera is pretty raw and unscripted, but it gave me a few ideas on what it could be used for. I’m thinking – part of a student portfolio that demonstrates their participation in not just school activities, but long physical activities outside school.
How do you think a GoPro camera could fit with enhancing your PE program outcomes?
Hey Mr. Jones, it’s Tyler Mills again from the University of South Alabama. This topic is awesome. I love the GoPro cameras. I do not own one, but one of my close friends has one and we use it mainly for knee boarding and other fun stuff on the water. I think it can be a big help in PE activities. It can help someone improve their game by going back and looking at the footage of what they were looking at and how they reacted in a situation in the activity. For example they are already using them on qauterbacks in high school, colleges, and professional teams. The GoPro is being attached to the helmet of the player to capture what they see during the play, and to critique what they did right or wrong. It is a very cool tool to use for increasing performance. I think I would use it in the way you used it and the way they use it on the football players.
Hi Tyler,
I’m sure as cameras get smaller the things you mentioned will become reality. The kids found the GoPro and chest strap was a bit bulky, but in a few years, who knows? And the spin offs could be just as exciting – training simulators, AR video games…….
Hey Mr. Jones, this is Katherine Harvey from EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I think that a GoPro camera would be useful for group projects. The kids can see what they did right or wrong. They can log their activities so they can keep up with what they are doing. I hope you continue to use this in your class. Best of luck!
Hi Katherine,
You’re right – and now that I know it works OK, I’ll be letting the kids devise ways to use it. Stay tuned !
Hello Mr. Jones, my name is Anh Nguyen, and I a student in EDM 310 at University of South Alabama. I really the idea that you use the GoPro camera in your classroom. I think If we are using camera and record students’ performance , they can see it later and know what they did good and bad, so they can do it better for next time. On another hand, we can use the video we recorded for experiences and show other students how to do it.
Hi Anh. Thanks for the interest in the blog. You’ve just given me an idea – We caught create a “How To” video manual as a reflection of what they know, and want to teach to other kids. Thanks for the feedback and thoughts.
Hello. My name is Janelle Johnson and I am an EDM310 student at the University of South Alabama. I never knew that the device had a name. I just thought it was a camera attached to someone’s head. So thank you for providing me with that information. I think the GoPro is a great device especially for athletes in order to get immediate feedback.
Hi Janelle, and thanks for your interest in the blog. Just out of interest – what did you call it before you found out it was called a GoPro? The immediate feedback is a very important function of video analysis – I also like the potential for student creativity in obtaining the video in the first place. Thanks again for your interest – Jonesy
Pingback: POOL ICTs | Brooke Walker