With all Lewis & Clark classes transitioning to an online format, physical education (P.E.) classes are uniquely affected. Since the nature of these classes depend on students being present and physically active, professors are uniquely challenged adapting to an online format.
Though some P.E. instructors have yet to inform their students of the new online protocols, some classes have received information about what their adapted P.E. classes will look like.
Students in weight training classes are being asked to continue training and keep their coaches informed about what types of lifts they are doing. If they have access to a gym after spring break, they are being asked to go to that location two times a week and continue their normal workouts. If they do not have access to a gym, they are supposed to watch and follow along with body weight workout videos, and keep track of what they do. After completing their workout, students are to email their instructor the day of class with a list of lifts or exercises they performed that day.
Gym Class Heroes is also transitioning to an online format. Students will be sent a YouTube video each week of the game they would have played, and they are to keep a journal logging responses to the videos.
They are to write “one thing they enjoy about the sport” in a journal on Google Docs, instructor Eric del Prado said in an email, then send it to him each week.
They are supposed to attempt to play the sports, but if they are unable they are supposed to think about how they would have felt if they could play.
Indoor cycling classes are abandoning the original model of the class in favor of students getting some form of physical exercise. Students will have access to a table in a Google Doc where they are to record their exercises.
“Put your initials and what activity you did under the date, saying that you did some sort of physical activity for 30-35 minutes,” indoor cycling instructor Nancy Molina said via email.
Molina is also focusing on the importance of collaboration during a time of “social distancing.” The table also functions as a way for students to share exercise ideas, “as well as a list of songs that you can add to that are good workout jams,” Molina said.
Bouldering classes held at Circuit Climbing gym are still in a state of flux.
“As the impacts of COVID-19 are being felt throughout our community … we have made the difficult decision to close the gym as of Sunday, March 15th, with a tentative reopening date of April 1st,” according to the Circuit’s website.
Instructors of bouldering classes are unsure of what their transition to online classes will look like in light of the Circuit’s decision.
P.E. classes are facing a disproportionate challenge in the transition to online instruction. Instructors have been creative while being forced to adapt to the new model of instruction and maintaining the integrity of a physical education class.
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