Green River PE goes national, providing students an opportunity to complete their AA degree online.
"Online PE classes? I've never heard of such a thing…but I think of online PE classes as a joke because you are really not getting the workout you would get when you partake in a PE class in the gym. Online PE classes just seem to be a waste of technology use" Green River student, Jackie Kaneshiro said.
Anita Behrbaum briefly said what these classes mean in a nut shell.
"The physical education classes that we offer online are for students who are seeking their degrees from Green River Community College online and cannot come to campus. For example, we have students in Eastern Washington, North Seattle, Bellevue, South Dakota, Hawaii, Montana, and locations outside the U.S. So most, if not all, online students won't be working out on campus or in the fitness center because they are not taking classes on campus or coming to campus. If they can come to campus, we have them take our classes here, on campus."
Two physical education classes are offered through distance learning at the college. Currently, Behrbaum and Tom Jackson teach the two physical education classes being offered.
The two offered online for physical education are both three credits.
They are PE 160 entitled Exercise and Nutrition taught by Behrbaum and Jackson teaches PE 103, which is Total Physical Fitness.
Both courses also require written tests, as well as a weekly exercise log.
Behrbaum summarized that both of these courses require pre and post fitness and body composition tests.
"The pre and post aerobic fitness assessments and body composition assessments must be conducted on campus, or by other professionals in the field at sports medicine clinics, other colleges or universities, or qualified professionals at athletic clubs and centers," Behrbaum said.
Exercise and Nutrition has a required project to conduct a dietary analysis during the quarter; this is where students compare what they eat to a healthy diet and look for personal improvement. Therefore, the requirements are lengthy and time-consuming just like any other physical education class. However, the concept of PE classes online has some students confused.
"I think that is something pointless, "PE" the name itself says Physical education nothing online does it? So classes should be physically related (i.e. walking, jogging, weight lifting, etc.). When it comes to doing it online how does one keep track on what the person is doing? I don't mind that people do it, I just don't think that is a good idea" International student, Rommel Gonzalez said.
The assignments and work-out load are similar for the online and on-campus versions of the class.
The on-campus lifetime fitness/wellness requirements for the AA degree the only differences are the instructional methods, as mentioned in the syllabus.
Behrbaum says GRCC wanted to offer a full Associates of Arts degree online and they were missing some elements like lab science and PE, so that is when the idea was thought of to add these two lifetime fitness/wellness courses.
"I think of laziness, honestly. But I can understand that some people need to do PE on their own time" Green River student Amanda Allen said.
Although the idea of online physical education classes may sound easy; there are a few challenging requirements to those interested in taking them.
"The people that this affects include students seeking their AA degree online. Students can enroll if they live out of the area. Or if they have a busy schedule and can't make time to exercise at school," Behrbaum said.
Some students support the idea. Running Start student, Jordan Bartholomew thinks the idea of online PE is really cool.
Students interested in taking these classes have to get prior permission from the instructor.
Students need to have experience with online classes prior to gaining entrance into these classes. Behrbaum said students with over 50 credits in online classes have the highest priority for enrollment. Students contemplating PE online should consult their advisor.
Online PE an oxymoron or digital lifesaver?
PE is now accessible to students plugged in with 50 credits of online classes and are in pursuit of
Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009
Updated: Thursday, May 21, 2009 13:05
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