by Jimmy Kiernan

Like all PE teachers, I am
passionate about encouraging young people to exercise and enjoy providing a
range of different ways for them to increase their skills and achieve their
activity goals. I have a keen interest in using technology to enhance learning
and have found iPad and many other PE apps and websites to be brilliant tools
for analysing and enhancing students performance in sports.
Since 2018, students across Ireland have had the option to study Physical Education for Leaving Certificate. This has been a hugely positive step forward allowing students to use their love of sport and activity to gain entry to third level education. As part of this new, exciting, and progressive course, digital skills as well as physical skills are very much needed. In LCPE, students complete 50% of their coursework digitally. 20% through a physical activity project (PAP) and 30% through a Performance Assessment. This is a big step up from Junior Cycle for many students where technology was typically not used as much. As a result, many PE teachers may also be new to using technology in PE. I am going to share some tips that students and teachers may find helpful in addressing this.
Since 2018, students across Ireland have had the option to study Physical Education for Leaving Certificate. This has been a hugely positive step forward allowing students to use their love of sport and activity to gain entry to third level education. As part of this new, exciting, and progressive course, digital skills as well as physical skills are very much needed. In LCPE, students complete 50% of their coursework digitally. 20% through a physical activity project (PAP) and 30% through a Performance Assessment. This is a big step up from Junior Cycle for many students where technology was typically not used as much. As a result, many PE teachers may also be new to using technology in PE. I am going to share some tips that students and teachers may find helpful in addressing this.

Why the iPad camera is your best friend as a PE Teacher
Become familiar with the camera! It sounds simple but the
camera is one of the best in-built apps you will ever use for PE. Things to
look out for are the difference in zoom from a camera about to take a photo
compared to when you select video mode. Students need time to practice where to
stand to capture the best angle of a skill being performed so that it can be
analysed further. Some other useful things to look for are the in-built
features within the camera including, slo motion (useful for analysing a movement
or skill), time-lapse (very handy for speeding up a quarter of a basketball
match when analysing a structure or strategy) and the fact that the camera on
an Apple device is also a QR code reader… more on this later!
Top Camera Tip for Leaving Cert PE:

PE teachers...want FREE access to Jimmy's Professional Development course on using technology for LCPE?

The Apps every PE Teacher needs to know
Take time to practice using some of the apps that are commonly used by many LCPE teachers. Two brilliant apps that can be used to help with video analysis are Coach’s Eye and OnForm (formerly Hudl technique). OnForm has a slightly different layout than Hudl technique was but all of the features are very similar. It is worth checking both OnForm and Coach’s Eye out as they come in at different price points. For more information on how to
use these apps and more check out my Using Technology in Physical Education PE teachers training course on Wriggle Connect that covers how to use these apps in step by step
video tutorials.
Some other useful apps for PE for your consideration include:
- Skill Lab - Useful for analysing various correctly performed techniques with handy comparison feature with checklist
- Bust a move “BAM” video delay - useful for instant replays of a skill being performed at up to 4 different intervals
- Reaction test – useful for collecting data on reaction time for the PAP
… and many more useful apps mentioned in my Technology for Physical Education Training course!
PE teachers...want FREE access to Jimmy's Professional Development course on using technology for LCPE?
Using video for Performance Analysis in LCPE
Students are now required to package
numerous videos and photos together demonstrating their analysis of their performance for their LCPE projects. This may be a new
challenge to some PE teachers and in order to help your students you need to
have a good knowledge on how these packaging videos work. There are numerous
options for you to go with, but the most popular ones seem to be iMovie and
Adobe Spark. A good idea is to start introducing these apps in PE to your
Junior Cycle and TY classes as they will be able to figure things out with your
help and from working in groups with their classmates. To put this into practice,
a Junior Cycle class could be given an end of gymnastics module technology task
where they need to compile a short video presentation on all of the movements
that they have learned during the module with explanations for each movement.
This will give them experience of where to stand for optimal recording quality
as well as video packaging experience.
For more information on the technological requirements in relation to the PAP and the Performance Assessment, please visit the individual guidelines for these available at www.curriculumonline.ie
QR Code Orienteering:

Drop everything and exercise!
PE teachers...want FREE access to Jimmy's Professional Development course on using technology for LCPE?
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About the Author
Jimmy Kiernan
Jimmy is a PE and Science teacher in Luttrellstown Community College. He is a certified Apple Teacher and works in a school that uses 1:1 iPads for students and teachers. Jimmy used the iPad in all aspects of his teaching but is particularly proficient when it comes to PE and assessment.
As a Wriggle Connect Ambassador, Jimmy has created the 'Using Technology in Physical Education' Learning Pathway on the new Wriggle Connect Family Platform for Teachers.
As a Wriggle Connect Ambassador, Jimmy has created the 'Using Technology in Physical Education' Learning Pathway on the new Wriggle Connect Family Platform for Teachers.
To get 1 year free access for PE teachers to Jimmy's professional development course on Using Technology for LCPE on the Wriggle Connect platform, apply via this form.