School Uses Computers To Increase Student Exercise

IRVING, Texas -- Computers are blamed for a lack of physical activity among children, but an Irving elementary school is actually using computers to get students to exercise, Dallas television station KXAS reported.

The gymnasium at Good Elementary is lined with computers, which are connected to the Web site Kidnetic.com.

The site directs students through a series of exercises.

"They tell you what to do and how to do it," student Gabriela Garcia said.

"Things have changed ... we need to motivate them, make them interested and keep up to date with technology, and why not in P.E?" physical education teacher Olivia Martinez said.

"We get more exercise. It helps us start running and stuff," student Destinee Hobbs said.

There's also another benefit. Students at a nearby school learn math lessons by watching the children exercise.

"We use the kids at John R. Good, through videoconferencing, where our kids had them perform activities, and we used that data to create our charts," said Amy Evans, an instructional technology specialist at Keyes Elementary.

Above all, everyone learns a valuable lesson about fitness.

"They can do exercise, but at the same time, have fun," Garcia said.