Wii consoles used in 'virtual PE'

[Sash]

Nintendo Wii consoles are being used in schools to encourage pupils who would otherwise skip PE lessons to get fit.

Four Worcestershire high schools have taken up the scheme which sees children using the consoles to simulate actions of real sports, such as tennis.

Those behind the project said they found using the games also improved pupils' behaviour and teamwork skills.

The lottery-funded scheme follows a similar project involving dance mats that ran in the county for four years.

The project, run by the Droitwich and Worcester City School Sport Partnership, has already won a national school sports award and has been backed by the Department for Health.

'Non-traditional'

Each high school that takes part in the project identifies pupils between the ages of 14 and 16 who have often missed PE lessons.

A Wii console was bought for each school, along with heart rate monitors to show how much physical activity the teenagers were getting from using the consoles.

A spokesman for the partnership said: "We needed to think differently - non-traditional, innovative and appealing to their existing interests.

"The use of computer games to increase physical activity levels and raise attainment to some would seem contradictory, but with rigid structures in place, and by using specific games, students soon found themselves being active and engaged almost without realising it."

A Department of Health spokesman said the project could be "the first step" towards getting more young people to take exercise.

The spokesman said: "We welcome the positive impact that innovations like these can have as a first step towards getting people to participate in a broader range of physical activities."

However, education campaigners insisted the consoles should not become a replacement for conventional activities.

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "Pupils would be far better doing serious competitive sports and games than this sort of thing."


BBC NEWS | England | Hereford/Worcs | Wii consoles used in 'virtual PE'


Novel idea I suppose, but doesn't really get kids out in the fresh air does it.

[emma roids]

Originally Posted by Sash

Novel idea I suppose, but doesn't really get kids out in the fresh air does it.

just get an extension cable and play the wii in the playground, job sorted

[Ratio]

With Wii Fit coming out soon i bet they intergrate that into the lessons aswell.

I bet EA and Mc Donalds are thinking of ways to get advertising into some sports 'keep wiifit' type game though.. Get a home run and have a free burger...!

[draganess]

If its kids that where skipping PE In the first place it may just spark some interest in real sports!

[dmgirl]

If it encourages an interest in sports then I suspose it's a good thing but they still need to incorporate some actual outdoor activities so they get some fresh air, as Sash said, and so that they learn that they don't need expensive equipment just to keep fit. A few laps around the playground is just as good.