U.K Government endorses Wii...

Article - UK Government Endorses Wii For PE


"With childhood obesity rates in the U.K. continuing to rise, the government recently endorsed a program that would see the Nintendo Wii employed in physical education programs across the country."


What are the implications of a government endorsed program that condones and encourages the use of video game consoles in class? Can the Wii provide an adequate substitute for regular PE classes/physical activity? These are interesting questions that provide a starting point for my investigations into using the Wii for physical education purposes.

The magazine article above states that the U.K. government's decision to employ the Wii across the country in physical education (PE) programs was the result of evidence gathered in a small study of 5 English schools. The research suggested that usually inactive students had an increase in their physical activity levels as a result of introducing the Wii in the school environment. A U.K. government spokesperson stated that using video game consoles can play a role in getting children to exercise. The word "can" seems like the operative one here.

To me it seems that yes, the Wii has the potential to help inactive students increase their activity levels. However, it should by no means be a replacement for regular PE.

For starters, the article states that students were lining up to play Wii sports such as tennis, baseball, bowling and golf. All of these video game adaptations require significantly less physical activity than their respective 'real' counterparts. For example, Wii golf does not require the vigorous walking that is an integral part of golf. Even in more micro terms, Wii bowling does not require the participant to repeatedly lift a heavy bowling ball (as is required in actual bowling!).

The way the study/article talks about inactive students lining up at lunch time to play these games does not necessarily fill my mind with images that reflect healthy lifestyles!

What do I see?

My mind immediately sees: overweight children, standing still inside a classroom, in front of a screen, one hand holding the controller, the other hand stuffing a donut in their face, meanwhile kids outside are running around, playing handball, shooting hoops, or kicking a ball around.

I know what you're thinking: "Wow! Dood is harsh!".

Wii bowling (and other similar Wii sports games) in my opinion would have negligible effects on student fitness. However, this doesn't rule out other Wii games. I'm going to keep hunting and see what else I can find. I think if used well, the Wii could provide a great supplement to normal PE classes.

Anyway, this article provided a nice starting point, gave me some interesting ideas, and immediately got me fired up about the topic!

Investigations will continue...