GPS Dataloggers – the first real test

Just a quick update on the MainNav GPS dataloggers that I spoke about in a previous post.

I tested them today in a short  OzTag game. The kids wore them in the supplied wrist/ankle pouches. They seemed to allow free movement (well..none of the kids complained about feeling awkward). They were certainly engaged and interested in the experiment!

After the game, I  downloaded the data from each unit using the supplied software and saved the data to .kmz (for Google Earth) and .gpx files (for Garmin Connect)

In Google Earth, I opened each track data file individually (File>Open) and they overlapped each other. By right clicking on the track itself and selecting Properties, I could change the track colour.

If you have Google Earth v6 or better, this file should should take you to my school oval, with the tracks of the kids visible in 3 colours. The zoom in is impressive , too!

In Garmin Connect, this is what the .gpx file uploaded to look like The zoom in on the track stops before you see it up close, but the other data could be useful in analysis.

I see a lot of potential uses for this in PE. As @DrAshCasey and @jaytrevaskis  suggested earlier, tracking positional play in game situations is one use. If it were possible, I’d like to put one inside a ball to track and analyse its progress around a field too.

The next step will be to get the kids to understand the interface and become confident users of the devices. ( I wouldn’t say I was an expert yet, but I’m getting better).

GPS dataloggers in PE

Recently I bought some MainNav MG600 GPS dataloggers, initially to add some interest to my Yr 10 Physical Activity and Sport Studies (PASS) class.

They are pretty cheap and relatively easy to use (the interface is a bit clunky, but OK once you get used to it). I believe they have a lot of potential in the many aspects of the PE courses and other physical activity experiences we offer at school.
Today in class, as a test, I had one of the students wear the unit and then got him to move around on our school oval. I got one of his mates to watch him and draw his path on paper as well. I will reveal the analogue and digital versions of the tracking in our next theory lesson. The students were already curious as to how the datalogger would perform. I’m looking forward to an interesting discussion.

The software that comes with the unit acts as a download interface.

The interface also allows you to immediately see the downloaded data in Google Maps (with an internet connection)

You can zoom in as far as you want.

You can then save the GPS data in .gpx format (which works in Garmin Connect) or .kml which works in Google Earth (see below)

As you can see, he didn’t move much (doh!), but it tracked his path. Our next test will be to use all of the available units on players in a touch footy game and track their movements for analysis later.

From what I’ve seen so far, you can upload multiple tracks from multiple students to Google Earth.  Initially, the uploaded tracks would all be the same colour (by default). This issue is solved (I understand)  by manually changing the colour of the individual tracks once you upload them. All this will be trialled and tested over the next few weeks by the kids and I.

As I said, it started out as a way to make my PASS course more engaging, and allowing the kids to use use technology in a sport environment, in the way they see elite athletes using technology (Gator Tracker, for instance). The conversations won’t just be limited to what has already been recorded, but could be about how to improve movement around the field too. The GPS data analysis opportunities are exciting.
I now see many more possibilities as well – creating bushwalk tracks, cycling routes and maps for our school Cross Country course, for instance. The kids could borrow them and create physical activity maps of the local area. As we discover and create applications, I’ll share our experiences.

My thanks go to Jay Trevaskis (@jaytrevaskis) and @igitdog for the great conversation about using GPS in class after a bike ride at Ourimbah. The chat about your plans for the same sort of gear inspired me. Sorry if I stole any thunder!

DIY fitness analysis graphs

Fitness analysis devices have developed so quickly over the last few years that what was thought to be schmick not that long ago is now very dated.

Heart rate monitors (HRMs) have evolved from simple HR measurement tools into devices that measure heart rate, track your training route via GPS and allow uploads to your PC, or to online analysis sites like Garmin Connect.

These days, anything you buy for your school should have the following as standard:

• PC connectivity and software that allows exchange of data between device and PC
• GPS
• HRM
• Functions that will provide results for analysis (eg. speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent)

For school use something like this would be great.

But if you’re like me, you’ve invested in technology already and don’t have an opportunity to re-invest, then making do with what you’ve got can be just as effective.

I created the graph below using my iPhone (I know iPhones may not be common amongst students, but who knows what the future may hold?) and an app called Runkeeper Pro, and my very dated Garmin Forerunner 50 (which only records HR data). I think it is a very presentable graph that I could use in class, or ask my students to create themselves.

I now have speed, elevation and heart rate all on the one graph. To create the image, I used the internet, the Runkeeper site, the Garmin Connect site and software installed on the DER laptops

Here’s how I did it.

1. Recorded an activity on my Forerunner 50 HRM. Upload the Forerunner data to Garmin Connect (you’ll need an account, but it’s free) using the ANT connector. Log into Garmin Connect, view the HRM graph, snip it using the Snipper tool in Windows 7 and save it as a JPEG.
2. After completing the activity with Runkeeper Pro running, save the activity. The data is then uploaded to the Runkeeper site (you’ll need an account to access your data)
3. Log into Runkeeper, view the activity graph, snip it using the Snipper tool in Windows 7 and save it as a JPEG
4. Using Photoshop, layer one graph on top of the other, making one about 65% transparent so that you can see them on top of each other. There are plenty of tutorials out there on how to do this.
5. Save the final result as a JPEG.

Kids at school could do the image manipulation, analyse the data and then upload a final report (including the graph) as a PDF to Moodle, BlogED or in any other paperless way you care to mention.

I know that handheld GPS units will record speed, distance and elevation but they may be beyond the budget of a PE faculty to buy more than 1 or 2 .  If you can purchase, make sure they can move the data to a PC before you buy, like this one, or this one

If you know of a way that records speed, distance & elevation via GPS and can be uploaded to a PC, other than using an iPhone or a handheld GPS, please let me know.

For me it was great to know I could do it with what I had and without having to beg for a new device (at home or at school!)