New Technologies and Teaching Physical Education

Apostolos Siskos & Panagiotis Antoniou

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece

Abstract

It is an undoubted reality that multiple applications of New Technologies affect in a variety of modes all aspects of social, economic and cultural activity. It is generally agreed nowadays that New Technologies have a vital role in education of all levels. In fact, society itself makes it necessary for the young to be equipped in such a way so as to become both intuitive and efficient users of information and information creators themselves. Educators, as they take part in change and receive its impact, should create new acceptable technology-mediated instruction models. The potential and prospects that open up with the implementation of New Technologies are of primary importance for the field of Physical Education (P.E.). P.E. teachers should approach this chal- lenge as a unique opportunity to support and improve both the instruction and the status of their taught subject. In order for this approach to be maximally achieved, a large volume of research data has been produced during the years of the information revolution concerning the use of New Technologies in education at large and, more specifically, in P.E. and Sports Pedagogy. The aim of the present study is through the literature review a) to highlight the potential offered by New Technologies in the teaching of P.E. and b) present the results of relevant research carried out at a global level over the recent years. In conclusion, it can be stated that New Technologies are not a panacea for P.E. but a useful tool for the improvement of teachers’ work.

Key words: computer aided instruction, multimedia computer aided instruction, webquest, multimedia projects, internet.