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From "Sit-Down" Technology to Learning Beyond The Classroom
William Paterson University
Our Client

William Paterson University is one of New Jersey’s largest public institutions of higher education, offering about 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. WP’s Kinesiology Department enrolls 300 students per semester in its Active Lifestyles for Health (KNES 1000) course. Active Lifestyles for Health is a core curriculum class, meeting WP’s commitment to the Exercise is Medicine® on Campus initiative set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Problem Addressed

For a course called Active Lifestyles for Health, the teaching methods at the time were anything but active. Professor Gordon Schmidt, Ph.D., and his WP colleagues mostly used a variety of textbooks. While wonderful sources for students to learn the evolution and rules of sports and activities, textbooks in the fitness realm amount to what he calls “sit-down” technology.

William Paterson University
Solution Provided

Core Product

FitQuest: A Personal Journey interactive book/course. (Custom Build)

Strategy

We worked with Schmidt and other faculty members to provide a customized version of FitQuest: A Personal Journey to meet the needs of the KNES 1000 course. This course focused on interactive course material and mobile functionality.

 

The course enables students to easily track their own progress using their constant companion—their smartphone--making health and fitness more top-of-mind and lead to more thoughtful discussions in class.

 

The integrated discussion and reflection elements of FitQuest enable the opportunity for students to discuss the results of their assessments, share their observations, and learn from each other’s experiences.

Results Experienced

  • Students study a topic, reflect on their own experiences, and discuss observations openly

  • Students can plan how an assessment or sport can be applied to a commitment to an active lifestyle

  • Technology enables students to photograph or record their sport performance and critique themselves while learning proper technique.

  • Professors can better assess student progress

  • Pulls together data that shows how student trends are changing over time.

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