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Virtual On-Line P.E Program for Students During Times of Emergency Proposal

Kiara Maldonado

SUNY Cortland
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On-Line P.E Program for Students

The recent events concerning the pandemic of COVID-19 has shaken the world. In

attempts to keep Americans safe, public schools have resulted to online learning. Events such

as a pandemic or a natural disaster are not the only reasons for the need of a virtual program.

In public schools across America, there are children with battling medical issues that prohibit

them to attend school. These children would also benefit from an on-line interactive, and

adaptive P.E program. Now more than ever, there is a need for an on-line P.E program in order

to keep students engaged and active.

Proposal

I am proposing to create a virtual on-line P.E program for students to use during times

of emergency such as a pandemic, a natural disaster, or when students cannot attend school for

a long period of time. Specific needs include pre-recorded on-line lessons and curriculum.

Group exercise classes should also be included. In addition to all virtual classes which will be

engaging and interactive for all students despite the fact that it is on-line, Interactive P.E games

should also be included into the curriculum. On-line video game type of curriculum is a fun and

interactive way to get students engaged while learning and understanding material. Specific

needs will also include pictures and videos of exercises which includes explanations on how to

properly perform them. Grant funding would go toward a software/ platform in order to upload

these items onto as well as curriculum, games, videos, apps and much more.

Reason to Support

Physical Education is an interactive class which involves knowledge and participation of

physical activity and fitness in order for one to obtain the skills needed to be healthy for a
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lifetime. Physical Education is important to the overall health of all individuals and should not

be forgotten in times of emergency when schools cannot meet. Physical activity has the

potential to have both physical and mental health benefits. Physical activity also has the

potential to have academic cognitive benefits.

The pandemic that we have been facing has left a lot of confusion and uncertainty not

only in the hearts of parents but their children as well. Some children are unable to understand

why they can’t attend school and see their friends anymore. Others may understand but might

be suffering from the fact that they can no longer interact with their peers. Unfortunately, not

everyone views social distancing or quarantine as a positive even though it is the very thing

keeping us as safe as we can be. Students may only view quarantine as social isolation under a

negative light. Stress from the pandemic can cause a wide range of negative emotions which

could lead to disorders such as depression and anxiety that can alter one’s normal behavior.

According to research, physical activity has had immediate positive effects on anxiety. Physical

activity is known to lower immediate state anxiety and decrease anticipatory trait anxiety

overall (Biddle, Fox, & Boutcher, 2000, p.154). On-line education delivered in forms such as

web-conferences, computer systems, and mobile devices have expanded boarders both

mentally and physically (Salazar, 2010, p.53).

In addition to the numerous positive effects physical activity can have on mental health,

it also has various positive effects on our physical health. Physical activity can lead to weight

loss and increased physical fitness which can ultimately increase an individual’s confidence (and

improve their mental health). The results of a study on the effects of physical activity and

physical health conclude that physical activity has significant benefits in CHD and type 2
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diabetes mellitus, the risk factors weight gain and obesity and the age-related diseases

dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (Reiner, Niermann, Jekauc, & Woll, 2013, p.6). The virtual

experience ultimately is a tool to provide instant hands on demonstration and is a critical

learning tool for students who are unable to attend the class in person (Martin, Parker, & Deale,

2012, p.24).

The addition of physical education curriculum in the classroom has shown to have small

positive effects on academic performance indicated by grade point average, standardized tests,

and memory (Strong, 2005, p.735). SHAPE AMERICA recognizes the need for physical activity

beyond physical education and has created a program called The Comprehensive School

Physical Activity Program. This program aims to help children get a minimum of 60 minutes of

physical activity per day. SHAPE AMERICA recognizes the physical, mental, and academic

benefits that physical activity has on our youth. According to a study conducted across a 3-year

span, physical activity improved academic achievement in schools (Donnelly et. al., 2017, p144).

My final reason to support the creation of an on-line physical education program does

not necessarily involve an emergency. It involves students with serious medical conditions who

are unable to attend school during the regular school year. Unfortunately, I have seen

childhood cancer affect my own family, and it has resulted in the transition to home schooling

for my brother who was affected. Of course, cancer is not the only medical issue that prohibits

children from not attending school, but it is a common one. Nonetheless, the creation of the

program will not only be useful in times of emergency, but it can be used throughout the

regular school year as well.

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Counter-Claims

Some may argue that money from the P.E department should be used for the creation

of this program instead of receiving additional grant funding. As a member of the P.E

department, I can attest that there is not enough money in the budget to acquire the necessary

resources students need for the class. Our budget funds go towards getting a variety of new

equipment as well as replacing old, broken, and unsafe equipment. Therefore, additional

funding is necessary because there is not enough money in our budget to compensate for the

needs our department has.

Concluding-Statement

Being an individual on the front lines of the educational system and understanding the

importance of my role has driven my passion for my students. We should be doing all that we

can to make sure that the needs of all students are met in all aspects. This includes all classes

not just the ones we deem as important. Physical education is one of the most important

classes because it directly affects children’s mental and physical health in positive way. Physical

education gives children the skills and knowledge to live long, healthy, active, and happy lives.

We also know the impact it has on all other subjects as a whole. The creation of this program

would be a blessing to the next generation of kids we are educating. There is nothing but good

that will come from it. Please consider my proposal thoughtfully and carefully.
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References

Biddle, S. J. H., Fox, K., & Boutcher, S. (Eds.). (2000). Physical activity and psychological well

being. Retrieved from https://libproxy.cortland.edu:4840

Donnelly, J., Hillman, C., Greene, J., Hansen, D., Gibson, C., Sullivan, D., … Washburn, R.

(2017). Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum: Results from

a 3-year cluster-randomized trial. Preventive Medicine, 99, 140–145.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.02.006

Martin, F., Parker, M. A., & Deale, D. F. (2012). Examining interactivity in synchronous virtual

classrooms. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed

Learning, 13(3), 228-261. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v13i3.1174

Reiner, M., Niermann, C., Jekauc, D., & Woll, A. (2013). Long-term health benefits of physical

activity - a systematic review of longitudinal studies.(Report). BMC Public Health, 13(1),

813. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-813

Salazar, J. (2010). American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Staying Connected: Online

Education Engagement and Retention Using Educational Technology Tools, 23(3).

Retrieved from http://clsjournal.ascls.org/content/23/3_Supplement/53

Strong, W. B. (2005). The Journal of Pediatrics. Evidence Based Physical Activity for School

Age Youth, 146(6), 732–737. Retrieved from https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-

3476(05)00100-9/fulltext