Race+Around+the+World

=Race Around the World=

media type="custom" key="164099"

Summary
Are your students all couch potatoes? Use the power of technology to get them excited about exercise and, just maybe, they'll learn some maths and web 2 skills along the way.

In this seminar, you will learn how to organise a virtual running race between students from two different schools. These schools could be on opposite sides of the street or opposite sides of the planet!

Using a Nike+iPod kit, you will learn how to monitor the distances and speed that each student has run. You will learn how to use the NikePlus website to create graphs and provide racers with immediate feedback on their progress.

This is a fun and healthy way for students to collaborate with others from around the world.

What does the successful 21st Century Citizen look like?

 * Collaborative (not just "around the table" but global)
 * Innovative
 * Global
 * Multi-disciplinary
 * Tech savvy

The Race Around the World is a fun project for teaching these very skills. "This sort of project is the type that kids get very excited about, and coincidentally, it's exactly what they need to be succesful in the future. So, as a teacher, I want to be developing projects just like that."


 * Authentic work for authentic audiences**

What do you need to conduct the Race Around Australia?

 * [|iPod Nano]
 * [|iPod+Nike kit]
 * Nike+ shoes (or Switcheasy [|Runaway Anyshoe adapter] for Nike +iPod Kit)

Possible Uses

 * Maths
 * Physical Education
 * Health
 * Goal Setting
 * Add your own ideas --- this is a wiki!
 * COLLABORATIVE USE (this is where The Race Around Australia/The World comes in!!)

Tips

 * Time Zones matter! Race for a fixed time, not a fixed distance
 * Charge the iPods at night
 * No racing at home!
 * Arrange a roster and change-over team
 * Record distance run by each runner

Making the Connection

 * **State:** [|ECAWA]
 * **National:** Mailing Lists (eg [|MacEd])
 * **International:** [|www.globalschoolhouse.org] (and check with your LOTE teachers to see if your school already has a sister-school relationship!)