PlayStation to become part of school curriculum in California

Dude, every kid's dream day has just arrived: the Redlands, Calif., school district is in the process of designing an "exertainment center" to combat growing levels of obesity by using workout games like Dance Dance Revolution and EyeToy: Play as part of the physical education curriculum. They're working with local health care facilities to design the center and raise money to install Sony PlayStation units in at least one of the district's elementary schools, incorporating five to seven different stations to handle classes of 35 students as they game their way into better fitness. We can't even tell you how gypped we feel right now about all those youthful hours we endured playing capture the flag.

[hater2win @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Wow, when was the PlayStaYtion released? Never heard of that one.

[Lone Gunman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Only in Cali...only in Cali

Here is an idea, take away their twinkies, tie them to a old school wagon full of bricks and make em pull it around the school. They just need a Rocky Balboa workout program and problem solved. No need to waste...YES WASTE...taxpayer money on this crap. CA residents need to send a message that you can't just throw money at problems to solve them. Parents, educators, ad everyone in between need to get involved. Hell buy a live chicken and make em chase it around...good enought for the Italian Stallion, its good enough for little Johnny Fatass.

[the blob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

There goes the age old fear of dodge ball

[Row D. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Oh, shove it. California's got plenty of money for shit like this. I'm so jealous T_T DAMN MY SCHOOL SYSTEM'S INABILITY TO ACTUALLY HAVE MONEY!!!! Our Japanese club has periodic DDR tournaments, though, so I'm coo'!!! XD

[Billfred @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I don't doubt that this would get kids moving. And anything that can get kids (and America in general) up and moving around is a good thing.

However, it does seem that there are better ways to do it. Get some playground balls and PVC pipe, and think of something fresh. Heck, basketball was based around a peach basket.

[benhc911 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

playsta"y"tion? i think you made a typo, or attempted to make a joke that doesnt even make sense.

[Luc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Anyone else see the inherent flaw in this? The active kids play DDR and get good at it (or already are), and the fat kids get laughed off the mat and into a chocolate shame-spiral.

[Chir @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

PlayStation misspelled in title?

[Lone Gunman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

#3, no school system has money. they all operate in the red. hell look at alabama, their school system is crap and they are in debt like 30-50 million.

bottom line is the tax spenders can't control themselves. i guess they are representative of the people in that respect considering most of america is up to their eyeballs in debt. this is just another example of unnecessary spending. just wait, the first kid that hurts himself on this fatass cure all device will be followed with a team of lawyers ready to sue...mo money...mo money...mo money.

[loser89 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I love DDR and i am really fit, that game gives you a workout.

I'm willing to bet only the people in shape will be playing it and the fat people will just be watching. They will be too embarassed to try it and also they will suck at the game, which makes them get bullied even more.

[loser89 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I love DDR and i am really fit, that game gives you a workout.

I'm willing to bet only the people in shape will be playing it and the fat people will just be watching. They will be too embarassed to try it and also they will suck at the game, which makes them get bullied even more.

[Micheal Buris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

we also play the playstation in gym like DDR games, In the Groove, and MC Grooves on the gamecube

[Lone Gunman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

when/where i grew up if you got on something like this and danced...your ass got stomped after school

do people still get their ass stomped at/after school, or is it all done with guns nowadays?

[yuppicide @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Not everyone likes DDR. It's going to be overrun with kids who are already in shape. Fat kids don't want to embarass themselves by dancing unless it's a rare fat kid comedian who posts the video on the net.

What's next?! One of them "Darrin's Dance Groove" VHS/DVD of kids doing DDR?!

What happened to the good old days of kids playing baseball and Manhunt, riding bicycles, etc.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

No they send threatening e-mails.
It's about all it takes to scare these pampered slackers anymore.

[scott @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

What happened to making kids run laps and then have a scrimmage game of touch football or soccer? That's what we had to do for 60 minutes 3 days a week. This is stupid and expensive.

[okcomputer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

apart from the fact that this is crap, imagine being the teachers that hear budget justifications for their low salaries, then watch this sort of thing being implemented... and whoever this guy is that thinks ca has plenty of money for its school systems, wasn't that part of the reason gray davis got recalled? (correct me if i'm wrong, i could be) plus, ddr is for tools.

[Matt Rix @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

It's not like this is going to be the only thing they ever do in phys ed... It's just another activity. Thumbs up.

[Jakob D. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

P.E. wasn't working and videogames are the biggest draw for school-aged kids. Instead of whining about money issues that you all do not seem to understand, why not praise the district for seeing videogames in their true light? Games can be used as a tool, and this sends a message to all of the anti-videogame gear-heads in Washington that instead of getting rid of what kids love, they should find a way to use them wisely.

Also, if you get kids into this entertainment room, not only are you getting them to exercise, but you are also keeping them from getting into trouble outside of school grounds. So, think about it: you save money in terms of lawsuits, AND these kids will not be such a strain on the healthcare system, since in theory, they will live a less sedentary lifestyle.

Sure, it's a risk, but there are many potential benefits to this that will SAVE money. You think they would do this if it cost them money? Please...

[hesh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Nothing like proving to everyone in school that you're a fatty with no rhythm. gg California! Way to alienate the fatties even more.

[Lone Gunman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Do I think they would do this if it cost them money? Sure, they don't have a concept of money, because its not their money. Spending government funds is easy, especially when you are helping out a budding company that decided to start selling DDR stations to the Public School System. State and Local politics at its best. I'll scratch your back (give you a city/state contract) and you scratch mine (favors owed politician in the future).

You know I'm glad they are trying to do something about their kids' ever expaning ass size, but DDR isn't going to make it all better. They need discipline, parental involvement/responisibility, and eductation. Parents need to remove the video games and junk food if their kids are chunky due to sitting on their backsides and staring at VGs all day. Parents and kids need to be educated on good nutrition and healthy exercises. At the end of the day, it will be a personal decision. If the parents give two shits about little Johnny Fatass, then they will help him/her get healthier. If they think VGs are good babysitters, then they should start saving up for the Type 2 diabetes medication their kid will require upon reaching 300lb.

Regardless, spending school money on some hyped up VG exercise machine with hopes it will cure obesity is just naiveity (sp?). ALL ABOARD...the misinformed hype train is leaving. Everyone buy DDR to cure all your fatass and unhealthy children problems.

[Matt f @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I lost 60 lbs wih ddr...so this seems like a great idea

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

The schools have money...in Cali anyway. I think the school system gets more tax money than anything else (not even including specific measures and initiatives). That's why it's REALLY sad that education is underfunded.

ER!OH!YUYUYUYOU CONTRADICTED YOURSELF!!!!

No. I said the school system gets money, but EDUCATION is underfunded.

I went to high school in Cali. The principle during my tenure there bought a new Trans Am the first year and then a BMW my junior year. Then she had them chop the plan for the 'Measure funded' new wing of the school in half so they could build another 12 car parking lot. Guess what ? It was an 'Administrative Staff' only lot, and that is where her new cars roosted.

My senior year they had us try to get all our parents to vote on a measure that would get our school (and actually several others in the area) around $12 million (each) to build a covering for our lunch area (it was totally exposed and they were going to close the campus during lunch the following year) to repair the pools and build a drama/music theater and an improved gym. It passed and they got the money. Which was then spent on a $5 million new admin building, improvements to the existing admin facilities and increases in admin staff pay. The students had to get ANOTHER measure passed to pay for the stuff that the first one was supposed to be for. They got that one to, but now it had to be used to also renovate all the sports facilites (locker rooms and fields).

And again the admin salaries increased...

Oh yeah, they also cut Music and Woodshop my senior year as well.

So to say the school system doesn't have any money is not really acurate. It has quite a bit of money. It's just being horribly abused.

But is the introduction of DDR into the classroom another such squandering ? Maybe. I think many posters here are right that:

A) The games will be dominated by experienced/veteren players who are likely already reasonable fit.

B) It WOULD be embarassing to try to lose weight in this fashion with all your detractors around you (as you might tell from my handle, I know a bit about being ostracised and publicly ridiculed. It's survivable, but it's not fun (until you get sick and twisted enough to like it >:) ), thus those most in need will probably not use the facilities.

C) There are alread plenty of effective tools around a school campus to help students lose weight. If nothing else they can run laps (I did, and though I wasn't more than 5 - 10 lbs overweight in HS, my overall fitness was much increased).

And in addition to that:

D) They could teach an ACTUAL dance class which would likely provide a more stable controled environment where the less than svelte might feel more comfortable gettin' it all done.

Overall I think the problem is not technical, it's motivational. The US is a nation of consumers. And we are always looking for a quick fix.

Even if you get these obese kids to exercise at school, what about at home ? What about during the summer. Sweating out some water weight is good and it gets your heart pumping, but what about nutrition ? You have to nourish your body properly if you want the exercise to do anything other than simply wear you out and dehydrate you. This must be taught and habits have to be retrained.

Until you get people to stop going after image (a seemingly effortless playboy/girl perfect body) and start seeking substance ( a healthy active body/lifestyle) you won't solve this problem with money and gimmicks. You can throw all the tools you want at students/people and it won't help until they WANT to use them PROPERLY.

Wow, what a rant (even for me). I suppose I should just go all out and ask also, why are they buying Play Stations ? Shouldn't they be going for XBoxes so they can buy American ?

(The students would also be less likely to steal Xboxes too IMHO :) )

End Rant (thanks/sorry) !!!

[benhc911 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

i am a little bit over weight, an although i think that ddr is a great workout, I'd never do it in public, even if I was good. It is just too embarassing, and at the school I go to everyone is a dirt that gets off on making each other feel like shit. Unless I was good to the level that I am impressive, ie. able to get perfect on hard, as a marching drummer is cool at our school because at assembles he goes up and is amazing. Glow in the dark drumsticks in the dark, flipping them in the air and drumming a wicked beat... but if anyone lese did it they'd get laughed off the stage, and i think that would be the same here. Only the cool and in shape people might do it, and they dont need it.

[Anh TRUong @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Man...Now I wanna live in California why can't Texas have this...GOSH

[gs191 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

hell, everybody likes videogames. over here, only the jocks like Phys.Ed. while all the others wish the curriculum would die. I see games like ddr as the future of Phys.Ed. but its major drawback is getting hesitant people to play.

But once you get people over the mindset of "its just a game with 4 arrows..." people would be all over the machine like white on rice.

[Shadowless Storm @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Honestly, I don't know if this'll work. For one thing, DDR is fun, and I know some people who actually lost weight diong it. But, what if the machines screw up? What if the kids don't do anything else? DDR and EyeToy games aren't enough. It's the same reason why I'm getting an A in P.E., for participating and pulling my weight through.

Personally, I'm about 20 pounds overweight and not that much in shape, but I can still own up to 9-footers in DDR. I play, even with the knowledge that I'm not as good as others. I have no shame.

[Drowning Duck @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Hey OddManOut,
liked your post ..
But I think that something is better than nothing ...if one cant get the kids to exercise more ..trick them into doing it
DDR is just a sugar coated pill... sweet to swallow ..but kills the baddy germs.
Wish there was some way of integrating video games with physical exercise ...BTW the sony eye-toy, and all the treadmills and exerbikes suck bigtime ...
If neccesssity is the mother of invention ..I hope someone soon comes up with a some device that will put us inside the video game ....we REALLY need it ....what the heck happened to VR ???

[Drowning Duck @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Hey OddManOut,
liked your post ..
But I think that something is better than nothing ...if one cant get the kids to exercise more ..trick them into doing it
DDR is just a sugar coated pill... sweet to swallow ..but kills the baddy germs.
Wish there was some way of integrating video games with physical exercise ...BTW the sony eye-toy, and all the treadmills and exerbikes suck bigtime ...
If neccesssity is the mother of invention ..I hope someone soon comes up with a some device that will put us inside the video game ....we REALLY need it ....what the heck happened to VR ???

[BL @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

WHERE DO I GET DDR IN DUBAI!?

[Ernie Medina, Jr., DrPH @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Lone Gunman: we're not wasting taxpayer's money--we're applying for grants and corporate sponsorships. Your tax$ is safe!

Note to all: There is a LOT of grant money out there for fighting pediatric obesity!!! Get a good grant writer and get some!

I don't know about most of the posters here, but I actually work with these "fat kids" in a clinical setting...have been doing it for 12 years. And in that time, I've seen our "traditional" stuff like PE and other sports not work with these kids. They are, however, comfortable in the video game world, so why not use it to get them active?

If they're not good at DDR, they can do the Eye Toy, Cateye Bike (hooks up to a play station and you can race any of the games by pedaling and steering), powergrid, etc. (I won't give away all of our exertainment peripherals just yet...;-)

Bottomline: we've started using a DDR and an Eye Toy in our Kid Fit class and for the first time, kids were coming EARLY to class and staying later, and we didn't see the dropout we normally see in this class.

I'm all for sports and traditional activity--heck, our 7 year old daughter swims on a swim team 3x/wk for over an hour each time, does ballet 2x/wk, and regularly competes in kid's triathlons. So no one can say I'm against traditional stuff!

But the kids we work with in the clinic, they don't like exercise, PE, sports, they won't do it, they're not interested, for some, it's a safety issue (had a kid patient beat up on the way to the local park to exercise per my advice!). Using video games, an environment they feel comfortable in already, is a great place for them to start to lose weight, lower blood sugars, etc.

THEN when they are in better shape, they will be more apt to try traditional sports and exercise, even that "PVC pipe" idea someone posted. LOL!

BTW, I'm very familiar with the Redland's school project because I'm on the committee for that project! Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or comments: [e-mail].

You can also check our off-school site that we're opening: www.xrtainmentzone.com. We already have a waiting list of kids and pediatricians waiting to send their patients to our first facility!

I've played most of the exertainment games out there, and they are not only FUN (which will help with long-term compliance) but also a great workout.

I had a 15 year old boy who didn't like sports, exercise, etc. but liked to dance. Told him to get a dance pad and DDR to use with his PS2. Came back 2 months later and had lost 15 lbs! He was playing 4x/wk, 2 hrs at a time!!! Why? Because it was fun! Think he would go out and walk for 15 mins daily? I doubt it.

That's the power of exertainment, where "Working out is all play!"

[joshua pursley @ Mar 27th 2007 2:54PM]

if possible for a scool project can u send me the grant for this plz.