Abstract
The present paper reviews the effects and problems associated with the use of personal computers in physical education, and seeks more effective methods of use for this purpose. First, previous reports about computer use in physical education were divided into the two categories: Measurement and Assessment, and Computer-assisted Instruction or Computer-assisted Learning. Second, reports belonging to the two categories were reviewed, and checked from the viewpoint of using effects verification. Finally, the potential and the noteworthy points were discussed in relation to future use of computers in physical education. The results obtained through these steps are summarized as follows; 1. Many kinds of application software have been developed and used in physical education, but there are few reports in which strict verification of the effects has been discussed. Although limited in extent, effects at a cognitive level have been suggested in physical education classes for primary and junior high school children, and effects on knowledge acquisition and motor skill acquisition have been suggested in physical education classes for high school and college students. 2. For future effective use of computers in physical education, stricter verification of the effects through practical study involving qualitative analysis or case studies, introduction of new techniques, and adequate consideration of relevant problems are necessary.
