From Shiny Objects to Real Impact: Using Technology in PE the Right Way

By Jarrod Robinson · April 17, 2026 · 6 min read

PE tech is everywhere — apps, wearables, AI tools, video analysis. But which ones actually improve teaching and learning? A practical framework for evaluating PE technology and making it work in your program.

There's never been more technology available for PE teachers. And there's never been more confusion about what actually works.

Heart rate monitors. Fitness trackers. Video analysis apps. AI lesson planners. QR code stations. Augmented reality games. The list grows every year, and every product promises to "transform" your PE program.

Some of them genuinely do. Many of them don't. And the difference isn't always obvious from a demo or a sales page.

After 15 years of testing, reviewing, and building PE technology as The PE Geek, here's what I've learned about separating the shiny objects from the tools that actually make a difference.

The Shiny Object Trap

The pattern is predictable. A new tool appears. It looks incredible in the conference demo. You get excited, maybe buy a class set. You use it enthusiastically for a term. Then it sits in a cupboard.

Why? Usually one of these reasons:

• Setup time exceeds teaching time. If it takes 10 minutes to set up and troubleshoot for a 5-minute activity, the maths doesn't work.
• It doesn't solve a real problem. It's cool, but it doesn't make planning faster, teaching better, or assessment easier. It's technology for the sake of technology.
• It replaces movement with screens. PE is about physical activity. If students are spending more time looking at devices than moving, something has gone wrong.
• It only works in ideal conditions. Perfect WiFi, fully charged devices, students who already know how to use it. Real PE rarely looks like that.
• It doesn't integrate into your workflow. It exists as a standalone novelty rather than fitting into your existing planning, teaching, and assessment process.

None of these are reasons to avoid technology. They're reasons to evaluate it critically before committing.

The 5-Question Framework for Evaluating PE Tech

Before adopting any new technology, ask these five questions:

1. What problem does this solve?

Not "what does it do?" but "what problem does it solve?" If you can't name a specific pain point it addresses — planning takes too long, assessment is inconsistent, students aren't engaged — it's probably a shiny object. The best PE technology starts with a teacher problem, not a tech feature.

2. Does it increase or decrease movement time?

This is the non-negotiable filter. If a tool results in students standing around waiting, watching screens, or fiddling with devices instead of moving, it fails the most basic test of PE technology. Some reduction in movement for meaningful learning moments is OK — but net movement time should stay the same or increase.

3. How long does it take to set up and troubleshoot?

Be honest about your context. Do you have reliable WiFi? Do you have time between classes to set up? Can you troubleshoot a technical issue while simultaneously managing 30 students? The best PE tech works instantly, offline, and requires minimal setup. If it needs a 10-minute tutorial before each lesson, it won't survive real-world conditions.

4. Will I still be using this in 6 months?

Conference demos show the best-case scenario. Think about the worst case: Monday morning, you're tired, the gym is half-set-up from last period, and you have 4 minutes before students arrive. Will you reach for this tool? If the answer is no, it won't become part of your practice — it'll become another item in the cupboard.

5. Does it make something I already do faster, or does it add something new to do?

The most impactful PE technology doesn't add to your workload — it reduces it. A tool that generates lesson plans in 60 seconds replaces 30 minutes of work. A tool that creates a fun visual effect but requires 20 minutes of extra preparation adds to your load. Prioritise tools that replace time-consuming tasks over tools that add new ones.

Technology That Actually Works in PE

Based on 15 years of testing and feedback from thousands of teachers, here are the categories of PE tech that consistently deliver:

AI Planning and Assessment Tools

This is where the biggest impact is happening right now. AI-powered tools that handle the administrative side of teaching — lesson planning, rubric creation, report writing, games generation — so teachers can focus on actually teaching.

These tools pass every question in the framework: they solve a real problem (time), they don't reduce movement time (they work outside of class), they require zero setup during lessons, teachers use them weekly, and they replace existing work rather than adding new tasks.

Video Feedback

A phone or tablet on a tripod, recording students performing a skill, then playing it back instantly. That's it. No expensive software needed. Students see themselves move, compare it to what they intended, and self-correct. The learning acceleration is significant — and the setup time is under 30 seconds.

Music and Timing Tools

A Bluetooth speaker and a playlist. A visual timer projected on a wall. These are simple, reliable, and transformative. Music changes the energy of a PE lesson instantly. Visual timers keep stations and circuits running smoothly without the teacher needing to shout "rotate!" every 2 minutes.

Heart Rate Monitors (When Used Right)

Heart rate monitors work brilliantly for one specific purpose: shifting the focus from performance to effort. When students can see their heart rate, PE becomes about personal effort rather than being the fastest or the strongest. The student who runs slower but hits their target zone is working just as hard as the athlete. That's genuinely inclusive.

Where heart rate monitors fail: when they become the lesson instead of supporting it. If students are spending more time checking their wrist than moving, recalibrate.

The Bigger Picture: Technology as Infrastructure, Not Entertainment

The most important shift in PE technology isn't happening during lessons — it's happening outside them. The tools that are genuinely transforming PE teaching are the ones that reduce the administrative burden so teachers have more time and energy for what matters: being present with students.

Think of it like this:

• Technology during lessons should be invisible — a timer, a speaker, a quick video replay. It supports the lesson without dominating it.
• Technology outside lessons should be powerful — AI that plans, assesses, and reports in a fraction of the time. It gives teachers back their evenings and weekends.

When technology handles the admin, teachers have the capacity to plan better lessons, give more feedback, and try new approaches. The biggest impact of PE technology isn't what it does for students directly — it's what it does for teachers.

See What PE Technology Should Feel Like

ConnectedPE was built on this philosophy. Every tool is designed to pass the 5-question framework:

• Solves a real problem (planning, assessment, reporting, games, PD)
• Increases movement time (all tools work outside of class — zero setup during lessons)
• Works instantly (60-second lesson plans, 30-second rubrics)
• Teachers use it weekly (not a novelty — it replaces core workflow tasks)
• Replaces time-consuming tasks (doesn't add new ones)

12+ AI tools. 150+ PD courses. Used by 10,000+ PE teachers worldwide.

Try it free — no credit card required. Generate your first lesson plan and see if it passes your own 5-question test.

Choose Impact Over Novelty

The best PE technology doesn't look impressive at a conference. It looks like a teacher who walks into class prepared, confident, and fully present — because the planning was handled in 60 seconds instead of 60 minutes.

Don't chase shiny objects. Chase impact. Your students — and your Sunday nights — will thank you.

Tags: Technology in PE, EdTech, PE Apps, Physical Education, AI in PE, PE Technology