DDR Added to WV School Cirriculum

[Kei]

[color=darkblue][size=1]Yes, you read the title right.

Konami and the West Virginian school system have forged a partnership for the next three years to intergrate DDR into all WV school physical education classes. The program is supposed to start being intergrated into all middle scools within the next few months.

Apparently, the childhood obesity problems are far worse there than in other parts of the country, so they're trying this out to give kids a chance to be active in a "fun and exciting" way at school. (The article can be read [url=http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=15995]here,[/url] by the way.)

I'm thinking that this could potentially be a good idea, seeing as it does have the possibility of getting kids to look forward to going to gym class. The way I see it, any type of program that can make kids want to get active can't be all that bad. What do you all think about it?[/color][/size]

[Boba Fett]

[color=green]As long as the program has kids burning as many or more calories than they were before, and the school system isn't spending money on this partnership with Konami. For the latter to happen, a donation of $425,000 is needed (according to [URL=http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/01/25/fitness.obesity.game.ap/index.html]CNN.com[/URL])

The real solution to obesity is to teach children about healthy eating and for schools to serve [b]low cost, healthy food[/b]. In all the schools in my local school system, we have health classes that teach about healthy eating, but can pay $1.75 for a hamburger or $2.50 for a healthy (turkey/lettuce/tomato) sandwich.

... note I didn't bring up banning junk food. Schools are preparation for the real world, in which junk food exists. If teachers can counter junk food sales in schools through education, students will be better equipped to face eating choices later in life.[/color]

[eleanor]

[color=darkslateblue] I agree with Boba Fett. Yes, DDR is an good way to excercise and have fun, but it will be sort of useless in teaching kids how to be healthier unless the food the schools serves has more variety. Our school serves salads and chicken/turkey/ham wraps in plastic containers in the hot lunch line and also has a separate line for healthy sandwhiches. Great thing about it is that they're all the same price.

I realize that it takes a lot of money, though, so integrating DDR into the PE systems is also an excellent choice in my book.[/color]

[Drix D'Zanth]

[quote name='Boba Fett][color=green]As long as the program has kids burning as many or more calories than they were before, and the school system isn't spending money on this partnership with Konami. For the latter to happen, a donation of $425,000 is needed (according to [URL=http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/01/25/fitness.obesity.game.ap/index.html]CNN.com[/URL']) [/color][/quote]

I think it?s a wonderful way to get kids to exercise? DDR is a great way to exercise!

[QUOTE=Boba Fett][color=green]
The real solution to obesity is to teach children about healthy eating and for schools to serve [b]low cost, healthy food[/b]. In all the schools in my local school system, we have health classes that teach about healthy eating, but can pay $1.75 for a hamburger or $2.50 for a healthy (turkey/lettuce/tomato) sandwich.

... note I didn't bring up banning junk food. Schools are preparation for the real world, in which junk food exists. If teachers can counter junk food sales in schools through education, students will be better equipped to face eating choices later in life.[/color][/QUOTE]

Healthy exercise is the key to a healthy life, actually. Sure, decreasing caloric intake is an easy way to maintain a healthy weight. But as long as kids spend an adequate portion of their day actually [i]going outside[/i] their metabolisms will do the rest! Contrary to Rev. Morgan Spurlock you can live a [b]healthy[/b] life eating nothing but McDonalds! All you need to do is maintain a consistent workout plan and the human body is really remarkably capable of handling itself! It will quickly and efficiently turn your LDLs into HDLs. It?s not being fat that?s going to kill people, it?s the fact that many obese people rarely get the minimum amount of cardiovascular exercise. That is the most important sort of exercise, and the kind of exercise DDR provides. As long as you can get 15-30 minutes of high intensity (high HR) workout three to five times a week, you can effectively curb a lot of the risk for cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking helps, too ;) (all you smokers out there, tsk tsk).

Healthy eating is a good way to smooth the process over, if you don?t have time to maintain an equivalently necessary workout schedule.

I see this as a good thing, overall.

[ForgottenRaider]

As a gamer I feel it's important that I note that DDR [b]is pure evil[/b] and may as well be called 666!

Also I find it comical how the school system in question missed this craze by a good two years and is trying to play catch up by being 'cool' and 'hip' ontop of commercialising some thing that should really be fixed by good lunches - a slap to the parents who feed their children crap day in and day out instead of [i]learning how to cook on a stove or even just a microwave![/i] - a good few games of footy for ten to fiften minutes a morning (estimated time the Australian Senate report (2005) into the issue recommends to defeat our countries over weight problem) - and basic common sense, eg: if you eat all those cheese burgers you're going to get fat.

Then again what can you expect from a country who's school system is honestly attempting (and succeeding to some degree) to change the fundamental definition of science so it can teach childrens stories in science classrooms? (If you disagree with this paragraph you should join the [url=http://www.venganza.org/]First United Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster[/url] (clicky!) and fight to get the rightful Intelligent Design [strike]theory[/strike] accepted!)

[Drix D'Zanth]

[quote name='ForgottenRaider]As a gamer I feel it's important that I note that DDR [b]is pure evil[/b'] and may as well be called 666! [/quote]

Yeah, it?s definitely frightening from an outside perspective ^_^. And much to the ire of the fan boys, it doesn?t teach you how to dance; haha!

[QUOTE=ForgottenRaider]
Also I find it comical how the school system in question missed this craze by a good two years and is trying to play catch up by being 'cool' and 'hip' ontop of commercialising some thing that should really be fixed by good lunches - a slap to the parents who feed their children crap day in and day out instead of [i]learning how to cook on a stove or even just a microwave![/i] - a good few games of footy for ten to fiften minutes a morning (estimated time the Australian Senate report (2005) into the issue recommends to defeat our countries over weight problem) - and basic common sense, eg: if you eat all those cheese burgers you're going to get fat. [/QUOTE]

As I?ve said earlier, chaloric intake must be adequately managed. But really, a good diet does have some fat and protein in it! Fat?s GOOD to eat as long as you can get your minimum quota of physical activity. Really, most of our health issues can be solved with disciplined physical activity! Chessburgers are just fine to eat! Just make sure you work out!

[QUOTE=ForgottenRaider]
Then again what can you expect from a country who's school system is honestly attempting (and succeeding to some degree) to change the fundamental definition of science so it can teach childrens stories in science classrooms? (If you disagree with this paragraph you should join the [url=http://www.venganza.org/]First United Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster[/url] (clicky!) and fight to get the rightful Intelligent Design [strike]theory[/strike] accepted!)[/QUOTE]

Again, Forgotten Raider, your comments here are insulting to my nation. I happen to love living in America. I?d really appreciate if you save the comments before we have to dig into the vitriol (I?m not sure why I?m being so damn nice to you, but I am? so run with it and take a hint ;) ). As far as Intelligent Design is concerned? hasn?t that been discussed already? I think it dissolved into a big church/state debate and moved further away from empirical evidence for design. Either way, it?s open to another debate. If you really want to debate evolution? feel free, I warned ya.

[Adahn]

[size=2]I want my childhood back! I'm very lazy, and very competitive. DDR is about the only exercise I will engage in and enjoy. It's kind of boring trying to get good 'times' by biking, running, or swimming a distance. When I have a chance to compete with myself for scores involving music, rhythm, speed, and agility, it's a real rush. I only hope those kids get as worked up as I did when I played DDR.[/size]

[Claire]

[FONT=Arial]Wouldn't it be great if people just randomly burst into song, like on Broadway? I have the perfect idea for this:

Dance magic dance, dance magic - put that baby's spell on me! Jump magic jump, jump magic - put that baby's spell on me, SLAP THAT BABY! Make him free!

Anyway, I think it's great that schools are including DDR in their curriculum. Heck, if my school was that smart, I wouldn't be taking PE online! (Which completely defeats the purpose of PE, but I don't care. I have home DDR). I might even have some friends with my amazing l337 DDR skills, who knows! =) Alas, Florida has yet to realize this concept, much to my (and assured many others') dismay. Maybe someday before I graduate!

Now I realize how badly I need to play DDR, but I have a headache. AND I'm watching Labyrinth. Dance magic dance...

I just hope that a childs grade in class won't be determined by their grade on the machine. Seriously, that would suck. I can't do heavy DDR on a machine, and that's the best mode there is for me. I'm sure no class would be that unfair, though, DDR can be pretty tough.[/FONT]

[Pumpkin]

[quote name='Drix D'Zanth'] It?s not being fat that?s going to kill people, it?s the fact that many obese people rarely get the minimum amount of cardiovascular exercise.[/quote][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]
Wrong anwser. Actually you forgot to include that some people have a slow metabolism and can't digest food as others. That way it is HARDER for them to lose weight. I know many people in my family who eat healthy, exercise, and eat smaller portions and are still overweight. Health issues can also cause overweightness. The one thing I can't stand about people when they view people who are obese, is that all they need to do is work out and stop being lazy. Not everything is that simple.

As for the subject of this topic, I would say DDR would bring fun into the schools. But isn't that a lot of money that could be going towards something important? I'm not trying to say it's particullarly a bad idea, but I think that there are more important issues. Plus, what happens when they play DDR at school and they want to play it at home? I think a ball and a bat, can get you the kind of exercise a kid needs without being cooped up in the gym and it requires way less money. It's more of the money issue that I'd be worried about, but as far as entertainment goes it would definately bring some interest into PE. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[Drix D'Zanth]

[QUOTE=Pumpkin][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]
Wrong anwser. Actually you forgot to include that some people have a slow metabolism and can't digest food as others. That way it is HARDER for them to lose weight. I know many people in my family who eat healthy, exercise, and eat smaller portions and are still overweight. Health issues can also cause overweightness. The one thing I can't stand about people when they view people who are obese, is that all they need to do is work out and stop being lazy. Not everything is that simple.[/FONT][/SIZE][/QUOTE]
Nah, I think we?re both right here. You?re nitpicking a generalization, but I think there?s something to learn from both of us. Granted, metabolism is different for everybody; I know a few friends who are veritable bottomless pits when it comes to dining. Unfortunately, just as genetics have a certain (and still not entirely known) effect on metabolism, so does age! Stress and other psychological issues may also contribute to one being overweight. Don?t get the wrong idea though; I?m not calling obese people lazy ;). I?m just saying that once somebody is overweight (especially at a younger age) he/she is more unlikely to reverse his/her condition.

But everyone [i]can[/i] achieve a healthy weight if they dedicate the time and effort. That?s really not the most important thing, though. The most important thing everyone must do is cardiovascular exercise- NOT the same as a fat-burning exercise. Cardio strengthens the heart muscle and can really protect against cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of death in the US). In essence, I?m saying? lose weight if you can, but at the very least exercise your heart (even if it is harder for you to lose weight, cardio exercise is the same for us all)!

[Gavin]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting.

I actually didn?t know what DDR stood for when I originally read the title, and now that I?ve fully comprehended the train of thought behind this I?m left thinking ?WTF ??. I don?t know, it just seems as if having people exercise by dancing as part of a videogame, never mind those of us who can?t dance and would grow irritated with this method of exercise very quickly, is a bit of a cop-out. I don?t know what the obesity problem in the States is like, much less West Virginia, and if this is a way to get children active and have them enjoy it then fair enough. But for those of us outside West Virginia, I think I?ll just stick to my routine of cycling, sit-ups and weightlifting to keep in shape.[/SIZE]

[Retribution]

[quote name='Drix D'Zanth]Healthy exercise is the key to a healthy life, actually. Sure, decreasing caloric intake is an easy way to maintain a healthy weight. But as long as kids spend an adequate portion of their day actually [i]going outside[/i] their metabolisms will do the rest! Contrary to Rev. Morgan Spurlock you can live a [b]healthy[/b'] life eating nothing but McDonalds! All you need to do is maintain a consistent workout plan and the human body is really remarkably capable of handling itself! It will quickly and efficiently turn your LDLs into HDLs.[/quote]
[size=1]This, of course, isn't taking into account the horrid trans-fatty acids that are in processed foods. I'm pretty sure your body can't handle that stuff as effectively as 'normal' fats.

As for integrating DDR? Like Boba said, as long as they're burning as many or more calories. I, however, think that kids should get outside more -- we're starting to live in front of screens. Maybe PE should be the one shining moment of the day where kids play dodgeball, basketball, jump-rope, or whatever, to get a breath of fresh air and step away from the constant stimuli of videogames, television, and computers? I mean, I have to say that it's kind of lame that we're resorting to videogames (however physical they may be) to keep kids interested/active.[/size]

[ForgottenRaider]

To be completely honest at school the times when we willingly did a lot of exercise was when teachers just said stuff-it and let us out for a lesson to play instead of doing the lesson. Fifty minutes of freedom outside the classroom laying on the grass, playing touch footy (I'm a geek so doing this sort of thing is rare for me), handball, running races and the like...This happened rather often during years ten through twelve and due to the total lack of requirement to exercise during this time (we weren't being forced) most were completely open to the idea of just doing excerise in some form that they picked. Now that I think about it we were tricked into that one rather well. :|

I guess what I'm saying is that PE tends to be a chore and excerise should really be done in a completely fun way, when you feel like it, and every one else is happy to join in. I remember the only PE lessons I ever attended were the ones by two teachers who never planned their time and just opened up the sports sheds for the students...and grilled and ripped into everyone if some thing wasn't returned at the end of the lesson...everything else was up to us.

Our grade of 180(+/-10) students only had one over weight girl and that was a genetic condition. Interesting statistic don't you think?

[Lord Rannos]

I personally think it's a great idea. Currently (in our PE, anyway), we just do excercises over and over. Today, circuit training. Tomorrow, weight lifting. It's reall freakin boring, and nobody actually cares about trying. So it hardly teaches us good fitness.

I think the DDR thing will actually let kids have fun while doing some sort of excercise, which will draw intrest more. Sure, us fat white guys will look like idiots, but it'll still be fun and actually make me care and work.

[Delta]

[COLOR=#790A43][quote name='ForgottenRaider']I guess what I'm saying is that PE tends to be a chore and excerise should really be done in a completely fun way, when you feel like it, and every one else is happy to join in.[/quote]Signed.

Odd that I was just talking with my university mates about exercise earlier. Our professors advised us to walk/run every chance we get 'cause come April, we'll be traversing tens of kilometers everyday for a grueling three weeks (it's probably an exaggeration but then again, our faculty members have been known to make students trudge for two days just to map a plot of earth). Anyway, we came to a conclusion that one's gotta [i]like[/i] doing a particular exercise/sport to get the most out of it and that we'd probably work more muscles swimming laps or dancing nights away than subjecting ourselves to a form of torture called "endurance running." You'll actually look forward to training and will work out more often.

That's why I'm all for DDR PE. Improves limb-eye coordination and focus, and who doesn't love a good dance showdown?[/COLOR]

[Shwa]

First of all I'm excited that their doing this for you guys, congradulation on that ^.^

Dance Dance Revolution and In The Groove have been proven to reduce weight lose in those a little over their weight limit and besides that its fun. I would have to agree though that a lot of people just play it for fun and dont watch their calories or whatever during game time. But I guess all they have to do for that is just keep records of how long they play and how many calories were lost, etc.