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Educational need or opportunity

The opportunity I've discovered is the proper use of video technology in Physical Education. It has a whole host of enormous benefits especially since today's generation is driven by technology and loves to work with it. When coupled with the knowledge that 65% of the learning in PE is visual, it's clear that video technology brings a whole host of benefits that will be successful when properly used and executed. The opportunity is for the students to take control of their own learning, using Dartfish. It will create an environment where students are:

• more engaged in the learning process
• encouraged to use problem solving and critical thinking skills
• empowered to become self-regulated learners
• encouraged to dialogue with other students and the PE teacher

According to PE teachers who have used this setup it feels like having another PE teacher in the class.

Student feedback shows that they are pleased with the setup to improve their techniques and to be able to compare. Students learn best when seeing themselves and with Dartfish they can have immediate visual feedback.

Solution
The solution is Dartfish educational video feedback software. (www.dartfish.com) A very easy to set up, easy to use tool that can be used in any PE lesson at school. Once used students demand for it to continue to show up in their classes. Parents are intrigued and embrace it completely, especially when they can see the results on the screen as well. For a limited space drill the set up can be fixed, for a wider field of view it'll be necessary to engage a videographer who can pan the camera. In case of a soccer match or a ski race one would resort even to two cameras in order to being able to capture the whole action. This is not part of this specific wicked opportunity, however it's all available on the same Dartfish tool..

Logistics of solution

The inclusion of this software will be a fundamental choice to incorporate educational technology in PE classes and ASA Sports.

The danger is that time will be running out quickly in day to day PE classes, so time management will be absolutely key. There will not be ample time for setting up the technology, using it effectively and storing it away after use. Also the evaluation process can take up significant time from the teachers. As with most educational technology the teachers will need a learning curve in order to understand how to work efficiently with the software.

Hence it will be important to create professional development time for the PE teachers and the IT support staff to have them learn the software and hardware prior to introducing it in class. The PD time can be online through webinars or personal online one-to-one. It’s also possible to join the classes organized by Dartfish at their office. At least one PE teacher or IT staff will need to become a Dartfish Certified Instructor (3 day course, EUR 690) where one perfects their Dartfish knowledge and learns how to teach others how to use the software. (Prior to that certification it’s necessary to go through the Video Coach and Power User courses.) The teacher or staff member who has become the Dartfish Certified Instructor will need to develop a continuing education plan for the users of the software.

Lesson plans will need to be adapted in order for seamless integration of the technology. This should include ample time in the first lesson to introduce the hard and software to the students. Also in terms of lesson content, the most effective use is to create different stations instead of just one.

TPACK
PE is an educational environment where hands-on, student-centered pedagogical strategies are implemented through directive instruction and guided discovery. With the use of this software is will be extended into a whole host of new dimensions where the students will not only learn from themselves, but also from others in terms of the routines and technique development. It has been proven that results do improve and scores are increased on assessments when this tool has been used in training or in class.
At the same time the students  will enhance their IT skills as they are using the Dartfish software on the lap top, the camera, beamer and screen.
Also it stimulates student self analysis, self reflection, further discussion and thinking as well as collaborative skills.

Project Key Performance Indicators
Unfortunately I would never have been able to see the real implementation at school and the effect on the kids within the time frame of CEP812. Hence I had to do with restricting this project to the trial phase with the follwoing KPI's:

• exploratory meeting with Dartfish Country Manager
• presentation plan for set up at ISL
• financial evaluation
• Dartfish trial at ISL including feedback

Plan

As I don’t manage the budget I will not be able to commit to any educational technology investment at the International School of Lausanne. Nonetheless my desire is to have at least another trial session with the Dartfish software, hardware, a Dartfish trainer, the PE Head of Department, the IT Manager, one or two sports coaches and some students. This will take place in the new school year in September. I would be surprised to find out at that point that Dartfish wouldn't come to ISL. In terms of funding I've even talked already to the PTA who is interested in funding it to a significant extend!!

One can lead a horse to water, but can’t force it to drink. That’s the situation I will be in with this project as I will do my utmost to show the technology options in PE and ASA, however further (operational, budgetary and political) decisions will be outside my control.

Implementation

Apart from the fact that the ISL staff was not available for the demo the only other surprise was the need for a videographer in case of wide field of view action. This is however quite easy to overcome by using a student or parent when needed. 

The only thing I would revise in this project is to take more time in the planning and preparation phase in order to have everyone on board in the first try.

The delights were so many... most importantly the wow factor for the kids and the coach! Also the parents who were present were absolutely delighted to see the implementation of technology in PE (of course even more when they could see the performance of their kids on the screen..)

Findings and Implications

During the project all four KPI's have been met, although the trial at the International School of Lausanne was restricted to two after school sports with their coaches and student athletes. Unfortunately the PE staff was not available as the end of the school year was approaching rapidly.

The necessary investment is quite limited for the software as I've been able to negotiate already the same price as the public school group in the canton of Fribourg.

Two quick successes were witnessed during the demo. In gymnastics a student continued to argue with the coach that she actually performed the routine much better than he credited her for. With the video feedback this discussion was cut short both student athlete and coach could see frame-by-frame video replay. In the end the student had to admit that the coach was correct..
When Dartfish was used on the two goalies of floorball the coaches could play back the body positioning and goal mouth coverage of both goalies. First individually and then side by side which gave them a very good understanding. On both goalies the hand, elbow and arm position got altered to be more effective much to the delight of them.

As I've stated earlier not much would be changed when implementing a similar (or same) project except for the planning phase. I'm already discussing with the local ski club to look into Dartfish as well for ski training. I'll continue to look for opportunities for further implementation as I'm absolutely convinced of the effectiveness of video feedback technology in PE and sports.