How Do ‘Wii’ Feel About Video Games in Gym Class?

Knowing that was on the horizon, ’s physical education teacher Katie Susat wanted to impress the importance of physical activity on her students.

“Before vacations, I ask them what’s one thing they could do to be active over vacation and many of them say play Wii or Xbox Kinect,” said Susat. “So I thought we’d get a Wii for class and show them how to be able to use it to get a good exercise out of it.”

Susat approached JHS Principal with the idea and he gave it the green light.

“The ultimate goal is to get kids more active,” said Parkhurst. “We try to engage them with what’s real in their world.”

The classroom version of the popular gaming system was purchased from JHS’s physical education class’s instructional materials budget. The system included the Wii Fit along with the Zumba, Biggest Loser and EA Sports software. Susat also said she ordered a class set of aerobic steps and exercise resistance bands so everyone can follow along.

“One kid is doing it on the screen with the controller, but the other kids are doing the same thing,” she said. “They mimic the motion and follow along.”

Susat, who uses the Wii as a station in her PE class, said that the class focuses on one yoga move, one cardio move and one strength-training move for the Wii station. While Susat feels that having the Wii helps round out the activity, she says it will only be used sporadically.

“We got it just before February vacation and when we came back it was time to start Jump Rope for Heart–the kids were all asking to use the Wii when they came to class,” she said. “It won’t take over my entire curriculum. It’s exciting and new and something they might have at home so they’re excited to come in and get a chance to see what it’s about.”