Testing Reliablity

Since there were modifications made during the trials of the tests, we cannot say that we are having the most reliable results. Although students scores were not effected in a negative way, there were a few differences between the two testing days, some of them are as follows...
1. Trial one was indoor, where it was hot, muggy, vents were very loud which made it hard for some students to hear instructions as well as the FITNESSGRAM PACER CD, and the surface of the gym is also different from the surface outdoors.
2. Trail two was held outside in the shade, it was a bit cooler and there was a light breeze. The audio system was also louder, and students were better able to hear the beeps from the PACER CD. The students were running on grass which may have been easier than running on the gym floor. Instructions were also correctly modified from our first trial.

All of these factors may have had some effect on our results, students reported in their reflections that trial two was easier: some of their responses were "it was much cooler outside, the sound system was louder, instructions were clear, and we were more familiar with how the test was run".

Validity

Testing is aimed at providing students with accurate indicators of their fitness and physical activity levels. Students in physical education should learn whether or not they have sufficient amounts of fitness for good health and whether they are performing sufficient amounts of energy.
FITNESSGRAM uses criterion-referenced standards that are based on appropriate health-related criteria. The testing is also in accordance with the Cooper Institute to increase parental awareness of children's fitness levels by developing an easy way for physical education teachers to report the results of physical fitness assessments.

Class Performance/Gender Performance

Overall, the whole class did really well, we ran on two different surfaces which may have affected the scores, but everyone's outcome after the second trial improved (Scores can be found on Blackboard Posts). It seems as though the students prefered the test when it was ran outside, where there was shaded areas. The gym was too hot, and another problem the first time around was the stereo system being too low; some students were not able to hear it. Mr. Gates and myslef tried to make as many improvements we could while running trial two of the test, and the results seemed to reflect our modifications.
As I had stated before all students had improved while running the test for the second time. Males and females all gave their best effort which is reflected in their trial scores which agian can be seen on Blackboard.

PACER Pictures

Two example pictures of students perfroming the PACER.

PACER Video

Date of next assessment

The next assessment for the PACER will be given on Tuesday July 20th. We will meet in the Technology building at 8:45 a.m. Bring a bottle of water because it is suppose to be hot outside, we will not be testing in the gym this time around.

Evaluation Criterion (needs improvement, healthy, fit)

Aerobic Capacity
Girls 17+ - Below 40 Laps = Unhealthy
Girls 17+ - 40 to 70 Laps = Healthy
Girls 17+ - Above 70 Laps = Fit
Boys 17+ - Below 70 Laps = Unhealthy
Boys 17+ - 70 to 105 Laps = Healthy
Boys 17+ - Above 105 Laps = Fit

How to improve in/out of class

To improve your PACER score you can follow the preperation activities below. Students can also improve their scores by jogging and doing sprints at home.

Preparation for assessment

Locomotor Practice: Students move to various locomotor; on every "beep" students meet the closest student to them and give them a high five.

Relay Pacer: Students are placed in teams of 3-4 players and practice the PACER using a relay technique where students hand off a baton, bean bag, or similiar item.

Student Trainer PACER: Students are assigned roles such as Element Checker, Lap Counter, Lap Runner, End Line Official, so that they can help each other to perform the PACER. Students rotate as they practice.

Just A Reminder

We are meeting outside the building on the grass that we have class in. Remember to dress ready to run, and bring something to drink because its gonna be hot!!

Test Objective

To run as long as possible with continuous movement back and forth across a 15 or 20 meter PACER at a specified pace which progressively gets much faster as the time diminishes.

What is the PACER?

The PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run)uses a recorded pace and the student runs back and forth between two points that are sixty meters apart. The objective of the PACER is to get from one point to the other before the recorded "beep" sounds from the FitnessGram CD. The "beeps" start easy and gradually gets harder throughout the test. When the student can no longer complete the distance in the time allowed, the test ends. Scoring is based on the number of completed laps.

The PACER is recommended for the following reasons...

1. All students are more likely to have a positive experience in performing the PACER.

2. The PACER helps students learn the skill of pacing.

3. Students who have a poorer performance will finish first and not be subject to the embarrassment of being the last person to complete the test.