Adidas Snapshot

Adidas has produced a unique app that lets users record, track and analyze their football shots. The app, called the adidas Snapshot, uses an algorithm that examines the images captured by the phone to calculate the speed, angle and flight time of every shot.

A set of results from the data collected will then be produced, allowing the user to use the information to improve their kicking technique. Users can then choose to share their fantastic football skills with their friends on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, or challenge their friends for the highest scores and achievements.

This app will have great uses in PE classes, as well as maths and integrated curriculum classes. And best of all the app is free. 

Twitter and Teaching

For a long time I couldn't see what all the fuss was about with Twitter, as far as I could see it was just another social tool for teenagers. However, a teaching colleague of mine convinced me to give it a go. I decided to follow the Jarrod Robinson's 14 day twitter challenge to get me started (http://thepegeek.com/2013/04/09/the-20-day-twitter-challenge/). I was instantly hooked as I could see the professional development opportunities that had simply presented themselves in no time. I decided to follow people involved in the teaching community, and was amazed at the wealth of information that was available. What I enjoyed most was that I was finding interesting ideas and information about teaching that I otherwise would not have searched for.
At this point I decided to find out ways that Twitter could be used in the classroom, and there are endless ideas, some of which can be found here: http://www.teachhub.com/50-ways-use-twitter-classroom. To get the most out of Twitter, it is crucial to know about the 'Hashtag'. When used correctly, Hashtags are an extremely valuable tool to create discussions, organise information and to communicate with the world. This great article on will tell you everything you need to know about the Hashtag: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Hashtags-With-Twitter.
So if you haven't already, give Twitter a go for your own professional development, and then discover the endless ways that it can be used in the classroom. A huge advantage here is that most students will already know the ins and out of Twitter much better than us, and should be able to use it effectively as a learning tool.
Follow me on Twitter @samgibson1983

TDownloader

Not everyone has access to the  Internet all of the time, or it could be too slow, or you just don't want to use up unnecessary bandwidth. However it is often hard to download and store clips off the Internet. One solution for this is an App called TDownloader. This is a web browser that allows the user to download video clips onto their mobile devices for future use. It also has handy functions such as being able to put videos into folders. In my previous post I mentioned about the Just Dance Videos on You Tube. I have been using TDownloader so I can have a bank of dance videos that I can easily play on a projector either using Airserver or Apple TV.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/total-downloader-for-videos/id522661666?mt=8

Dance in PE

Recently we completed a dance unit using an older Jump Jam set where the students mirror the instructor that is on the big screen. However, recently I have discovered much more modern clips on You Tube that are perfect for the students to follow. In the future I will definitely be using these.

Click here to view the different dances

Using Sportalyser

The app 'Sportalyser' is a great way to show a skill throughout different frames for analysis. This can work either for athletes to analyse their own performance or for coaches/teachers to show a comprehensive breakdown of a skill. Click on the picture below to view the example I made of a front foot drive that I intend on showing my cricket players.

Using Airserver

 Recently I downloaded Airserver onto my laptop (http://www.airserverapp.com/). This meant that my laptop could mirror anything that was shown on my IPad. As shown in the pictures below, I attached my laptop to a projector in the gym, whilst I set up my IPad on the tripod so that my students could watch their own shooting technique. I used BAM video delay (mentioned in an earlier post) and set up a replay screen with a 10 second delay, this way the students could watch each of their shots. Using Airserver will be very valuable when used in this way. In the future I will also use it to use with programs such as Coaches Eye, where I can show the whole group on a larger screen rather than everyone trying to gather around the IPad.

Swimming Analysis using Coaches Eye

In my last post I showed you how I attached an underwater camera to a pole simply using some tape. The results of the videos were pleasing, and I was able to analyse them using Coaches Eye once the videos were imported from the camera (using a camera connection kit for my IPad). Here is an example of a simple analysis of a swimmer demonstrating the freestyle technique.

Video analysis using a waterproof camera

Underwater Camera

Recently I attached my underwater camera to a pole (see picture) so I could import the videos into Coaches Eye to analyse the swimming strokes. This worked well walking up and down the side of the pool taking the videos. It also gave me the option of giving the students instant video feedback.





Using BAM Video Delay

Yesterday I set up my iPad on a tripod so my students could watch and analyse themselves using BAM Video Delay while doing high jump. I had the first replay set for a 15 second delay so the students had time to walk around to the tripod after their jump. Each of the additional 3 replays were set at 7 seconds after each other, so the students could view the replay a total of 4 times for each jump they did. This worked great and really let the students see where they could improve rather than just listening to my verbal feedback.

Using CoachNote

In my last post I mentioned the app CoachNote. This week for part of my Football unit I decided to play football with netball positions, with the aim of teaching the players to stay in certain areas of the field and also to mark their opposite player. I used CoachNote to explain to my class where each position could go on the field - the players responded well to being able to visually see where they were allowed to go via the iPad.

Apps in PE

Recently I was lucky enough to be involved with the Connected PE conference in Kuala Lumpar. Jarrod Robinson was inspirational and insightful with his use of intergrating technology in the classroom.
Check out Jarrod's Blog at http://thepegeek.com/.
 
Here are a few of the apps that we tested out and discussed throughout the conference:
 
Coaches Eye
 
Coaches Eye is the premier video analysis app available on iPhone/iPad/iPod and Android devices. The app is an absolute must have and brings exceptional insight to your Physical Education classes. Simply point and shoot your desired footage and tap to begin an instant on the spot analysis. Users can finely tune the footage the exact frame using the ‘fly wheel’ at the bottom. You can then use the drawing tools to complete a telestration emphasising the important aspects of the performance. The really exciting addition to the app which takes it to the next level, is its ability to create a voice over recording during the video analysis. This recording can then be shared via Text Message, Email, YouTube or other social media platforms making it the easiest and most powerful way to improve performance. The following video showcases the power of Coaches Eye http://youtu.be/qARthGvklmc
 

BaM Video Delay

The most exceptional video feedback app I have seen on an iOS device. With this app you can simultaneously record and display delayed video. This means that a PE Teacher can have the app pointed towards any sort of discrete skill and after the skill has been completed the performer has adequate time to return to the screen to see their skill in action. Where this app takes it to the next level is its ability to allow a grid of 4 different video delay timers effectively creating 4 opportunities to view your performance (See the picture below). The user can then specify a different delay time for each grid and dynamically alter the delay by swiping up or down with their finger on the grid. This app is a must have for PE Teachers and sports coaches who are keen to take performance analysis to the next level. Use it in gymnastics, dance, track and field or during skill development. The possibilities are endless and especially enhanced with the addition of an iPod/iPad Tripod.
 

CoachNote

CoachNote is an exceptional app that allows users to record set plays and game strategies for a variety of team sports. The coach simply drags the icons onto the screen to represent the players and can then record the movement of the players and the ball as they narrate. This app fits perfectly into any Games Sense or TGFU class, where students are responsible for developing deeper understanding of the tactics and strategies within the games they play. Teachers can also utilise the apps recording function to allow students to demonstrate their game understanding

Music Workout

MusicWorkout is a unique interval timer that utilises your music to inform you when it’s time to rest and time to work. Perfect for teachers, coaches, trainers or anyone looking to structure lessons or group rotations. Simply add a workout selecting the warm up, work duration, rest duration and the number of repetitions and your music will guide you through the activity. Choosing from one of three different rest settings the app will either pause the music, lower the volume or sound a bell when its time to rest. This audible signal means that you can focus on the session and not the stopwatch or timer.

Dartfish Easy Tag

Simple application that allows you to do statistical recording within sports. Users can very quickly setup a game panel with tiles dedicated to specific actions the user wishes to observe. The user then taps the events as they observe them throughout the game play, ultimately completing a statistical analysis. The perfect tool for getting key performance indicators within games. Have injured students do recording during practical classes to provide insight into game play. Results can then be exported directly to email for further analysis. Also available for Android devices

sPrintTimer

a unique timer and photo finish app that employs the same techniques as the professional equipment used at the Olympics. Start the timer and point the camera towards the finish line. sprintTimer will build an image of narrow slices of the finish line. You can then scroll along the photo to get the time when each competitor crosses the finish line with a 0.01 s resolution. The image can then be saved for record keeping. To top it off the timer can also be activated by a button touch or automatically by sensing the gun sound.