A podcast titled, "Tune Up Your Body: Run America!" represents a breakthrough new method to attract kids to physical activity through technology. Nike, Apple, and Google teamed up to design a state-of-the-art fitness program which integrates technology into exercise. When properly equipped with an iPod, and Nike shoes with an iPod Sport Kit, joggers keep track of their running distances, and then plot them geographically on Google Earth. The distances are compiled, and superimposed on a map of the United States. Students can then compete for the most distance, or compile their distances and compete against other peers/teams/classes/schools!
The "Run America!" fitness program is a clever way to integrate technology and fitness into anyone's life. Plotting one's exercise progress is a great way to teach kids the proper ways to exercise and stay healthy. Any program which could increase a child's interest in physical activity should be viewed as a success.
While this program does a great job enhancing exercise for kids, it is also an expensive program to initiate. iPods and Nike shoes aren't cheap, and not all kids can afford them. Also, the podcast seems a bit gimmicky, like an advertisement. Considering the how marketing departments of Apple, Google, and Nike collaborated on the project; the entire program itself is one big marketing concept, and thus a marvel of horizontal integration.
Link to the Podcast: http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=10166
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