2014 Volume 20 Issue 1 Pages 113-120
In small classes, children’s interpersonal relationships tend to be limited, and it could be difficult to encourage their collaboration in physical education classes. In this study, the effect of the physical education classes using ICT (tablet PC and cloud computing) between two schools on children’s collaborations in small size elementary schools in remote areas was verified. Both classes consisted of three children of the 5th and 6th grades. The children recorded their own exercises and messages as movie files for the partner class, and took photos of study cards using the tablet PC, and then uploaded the information into a shared cloud server. The children checked the movies and photos from the partner in their physical education classes. The effects of this practical study were assessed by movie observations of children’s attitude in the class, confirmations of the expressions in their study cards, and investigative interviews of the teachers. As a result, these interchanges between two small classes using ICT, enhanced children’s thinking and discussion in their physical education classes. By the observations of the classes, children tended to think and discussed how to advise the partner class, and think about their own movement from their partner’s messages. In their study cards, children noted their partner’s strong and weak points, and these interchanges motivated the partner class. The teachers of each class mentioned the efficacy of the interchanges using ICT in this study for children’s collaborative attitudes. Furthermore, the teachers insisted that these interchanges also enhanced teachers in regards to their teaching materials and teaching techniques. In conclusion, using ICT between small classes in remote areas, such as in this study, positively effected children’s collaborations in physical education classes, and it gave opportunities for interchanges for teachers too.
