EDMONTON – When you think of kids playing video games, exercise isn’t usually the first thought that comes to mind. But the Edmonton Catholic School District (ECSD) is hoping to change that mentality with a unique version of DanceDanceRevolution.
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition (DDRCE) made its Canadian classroom debut with a dance party at St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School Friday night.
“I would says it’s better than just doing regular gym, because you get to dance more and you get to listen to songs while you dance,” said Grade 4 student Sidney Kuhnert.
“It’s exercise and it’s getting off the couch. It’s music, it makes your heart happy; you immediately get happy and are exercising at the same time,” added Sidney’s mother Jennifer Kuhnert.
WATCH: DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition hits Edmonton
DDRCE is an interactive video game combining real physical activity with energetic music and visuals. Up to 48 wireless mat controllers can be connected to one computer at any given time. Studies have shown 40 minutes of play is equivalent to a 5km run.
Dozens of students and their parents gathered in the school gymnasium to showcase the ECSD’s latest fitness initiative.
“We’ve termed it the ‘Active Exergaming Project,'” said Brett Barron, a teacher at St. Teresa. “It’s a wellness initiative, it’s an initiative to get kids moving and promote activity.”
Barron, who’s also a graduate student at the University of Alberta, decided to bring the game to Edmonton classrooms after seeing its success in the United States.
“This was something that actually emerged in the early 90s, DanceDanceRevolution, and they’ve had a lot of success out in the southern States- particularly in West Virginia- getting kids more active through the use of this one particular game,” he said.
Physical education experts say it’s all about finding new, innovative ways of promoting a healthy lifestyle and getting kids moving.
“We have to attract this digital generation and figure out how to get them to learn. And this is one way,” added Mark Huculak, a Physical Education, Health & Wellness consultant with the ECSD.
The classroom game will be shared by eight schools within the district; each school will get a chance to use it for three weeks at a time.
“Is it everything that is physical activity? No. But it’s a nice component for dance and rhythm,” Barron explained.
And on Friday night it seemed to be a hit with not only the students, but parents too.
“We have the chance to see what this is all about and how much the kids love it, and how much the kids engage into dance and exercising,” Jennifer said.
The system also allows teachers to track vital information about student’s health and progress including steps taken, body mass index (BMI) and caloric burn rate.
With files from Quinn Ohler, Global News.
Comments