1. An Evaluation of
Improving Performance in Physical
Education Using Coach’s Eye.
Nicholas Jenkins
May 2014

2. About a boy… (from Morriston)
Aesthetics faculty support assistant
Cover supervisor
Rugby coach
Work with pupils within lessons to help
raise achievement and confidence of
certain pupils/ groups of pupils

3. MCS on ICT…
Currently using laptops and IPads within
mainstream lessons
Teachers find it engages pupils with the
lessons
Available apps are useful and are used
throughout the school, across all subjects.
ICT skills are taught as a core subject
throughout the year groups

4. The Activity
LO: To improve performance of forward rolls
using Coach’s Eye.
In groups of three, pupils were asked to assess and critically evaluate the technique
used by a member of their group using Coach’s Eye. Coach’s Eye is an Apple
application used by sports men and women around the world to improve
performance. It allows the performer to instantly receive feedback on their
performance and allows progression. See lesson plan for more details.

5. Evaluation
Overall the lesson was an enjoyable and valuable experience for both the pupils and teacher. Initially I was a bit concerned about pupils
staying on task with the Ipads but general good behaviour and a mature attitude from the Year 7 pupils made this a success. “Under the
United Nations Convention on he Rights of the Child and Welsh Assembly Government’s overarching strategy document Rights to action, all
children and young people must be provided with an education that develops their personality and talents to the full.” *WAG 2008 p4)
Children’s Learning
By using the Ipads, pupils were able to see and comment on each other’s performance as a form of assessment for learning. This is an
integral part of the learning process as they are able to critically evaluate each other and themselves based on the success criteria that was
given to them at the start of the lesson in the demonstration. “Schools in Wales should ensure that all learners are engaged as full members
of their school communities, accessing the wider curriculum and all school activities and working wherever possible alongside their peers.”
(WAG 2008 p5) As they used this ICT resource, they not only used technology within the lesson but developed their PE skills. Working in
groups of three allowed them to practise their communication skills also. The level of gymnastics that was produced by the end of the lesson
was of a high standard and the general feel form pupils was of confidence and pride.
What I Did…
Acting as a facilitator to the learning, circling the gymnasium was all that was required when pupils were on their main task. Some pupils did
ask for advice about what steps of progression would need to be given at times. I found the technology particularly useful at this point as the
pupil did not have to re enact the movement but only replay the video. Throughout the lesson, I also questioned pupils and they were able
to discuss the progress of their groups with confidence as they had the evidence in front of them. It seemed that pupils’ confidence was also
raised within the lesson as they could see the progress they had made within a short period of time.

6. Evaluation ctd…Impact of ICT on the Children’s Learning
I felt that pupils were engaged from the start and considering they were a class of 24 Year 7 pupils, they responded in
a sensible way. We have not used the Ipads a lot in PE and so I think they felt it was a bit of a novelty at first. I did have
reservations about this as I thought that they boys take the opportunity to go off task and use other features of the IPad.
However, as I circled the room, nearly all students were on task at all times. I do believe that using the Ipads increased their
engagement as not only were they able to see themselves performing but could give accurate and specific feedback to their
peers. “They use ICT to interpret and analyse information and communicate their findings in ways suitable for their intended
audience and purpose.” (WAG 200 8 p6)At the end of the lesson, pupils were asked if they had enjoyed the lesson. They stated
that they did and that they wanted to use Coach’s Eye more often in PE for games also . Raising the confidence of pupils is very
important in PE as not all pupils are comfortable performing in front of the whole class or teacher. Using Coach’s Eye allowed
them to work in their small groups and see their progression quickly and clearly.
What I learnt…
Coach’s Eye is an excellent resource for both the engagement an d progress of pupils in the learning space. I did find that pupils
were eager to critically evaluate each other and use the video evidence to support their ideas and progress. I would definitely use
this piece of technology in further lessons . However, when working on another lesson plan, using the work that had been
completed, I was unable to transfer videos to the laptop as it was not compatible with the software. This is one of the negative
issued I have with the spp.
I found that I was able to act as the facilitator for learning as pupils were progressing based on their own assessment and the
assessment of their peers. As this was constant, the learning process was sped up and all pupils were able to work at their own
pace.
Changes…
The next time I use this app within a lesson I think I would prefer pupils to be in pairs. This is only because I felt that giving
guidance and critically analysing the video could be completed by an individual rather than a pair.

7. Reference
WAG Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. (2008)
Information and Communication Technology in the National Curriculum for
Wales. Cardiff: WAG

8. Evidence of Coaches eye in use