NY Times reports on DDR usage in PE Classes

sherl0k · Maniac Member Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Location: the internet

There's a really awesome article in the NY Times in regards to how PE classes in schools are starting to use DDR as a form of exercise. In West Virginia alone, "the state has committed to installing the game in all 765 of its public schools by next year. Almost all of its 185 middle schools already use it."

Not too shabby, eh?
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AceJay · Trick Member Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Location: Princeton, NJ

Marq(uistadorous) · Trick Member Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Location: Arvada, CO

Awesome, ddr is becoming even lame, corny, and kid-centered!!! I'm thrilled! I love it when little kids that don't know anything about the game give ddr a bad rep!

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Reenee · Trick Member Joined: 21 Nov 2003

User feedback from places like Joystiq and Kotaku have a bunch of people bitching off as to DDR lacking that "social" competitive aspect (i.e. being picked last, team spirit), a waste of money, not as effective as team sports, etc.
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Mr. Kennedy · Trick Member Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Location: With my girl

Marq(uistadorous) · Trick Member Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Location: Arvada, CO

I'm sorry, It's just that at my arcade I see all these little annoying kids playing and then when an older kid plays that's actually good, everyone else thinks it's lame... it's good for the kids, I just get annoyed sometimes... my bad, I was just being a jerk
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sherl0k · Maniac Member Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Location: the internet

Mr. Kennedy · Trick Member Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Location: With my girl

Ghettobarney · Trick Member Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Failing Pandy

My school got a DDR machine, unfortunatley it's only for gym classes, which I'm not in.

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Mistletoe Angel Magic · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:07 pm Post subject:

I too find this news very encouraging and I too am glad Dance Dance Revolution is establishing itself in our cultural mainstream gradually as an alternative, jovial physical fitness and esteem-building zeitgeist.

As someone who started playing this game last November in earnest, even I take concern with what direction this cultural phenomenon is going in some areas, particularly with the increasing number of second-rate songs and the increasing corporate image being established (like with the recent Konami/Burger King promotion)

But in this respect, I am not the least worried, as I believe this is a game anyone can and should enjoy, and it brings me great joy to see younger children find interest in the game and become more kinetic and express more vitality, in contrast to laying on the couch half the day and sleeping much the other half.

*

There is one important facet that I felt was overlooked in this otherwise excellent article, and that is how Dance Dance Revolution also is a prayer for those in need of improving their underdeveloped motor skills, especially for those among the escalating population of those diagnosed with autism or Asperger's Syndrome.

As someone diagnosed with a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome myself, I grew up with underdeveloped motor skills; where my movements were clumsy and awkward, I was more accident-prone than average, I was ultra-sensitive to bright lights and shrill sounds, etc. Though I was able to read a newspaper when I was four years old, in elementary school I had difficulty performing the simple task of opening a door, and all in all my gross motor skills were delayed in development.

Cross-country running was the first physical activity I took up to improve and sharpen my motor skills as well as my self-esteem, and more recently I've wholeheartedly embraced and am fascinated with Dance Dance Revolution, in that I believe it's an excellent game for any child in improving their posture, balance, hand-eye coordination skills, perception abilities and, ultimately, the self-esteem in general.

I believe that kind of education is lacking in our public school environment generally speaking, and I for one am ecstatic seeing more young kids developing not only an active lifestyle, but a sense of capability and confidence from this game.

I truly hope Oregon follows West Virginia's lead, along with the rest of the nation.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

videoCWK · Trick Member Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Location: woh

ddrmamiof3 · Trick Member Joined: 12 Nov 2006

I agree! my son is diagnosed with pdd-nos a mild form of autism and this has been the best thing for him. He is really really good at it. He plays ddr, piu and itg. It has helped boost his grades, his self esteem and motor skills. I love the game. I love it when I go to an arcade and the older kids talk to him and respect him. He loves the attention. He can compete with kids much older than him because he is so good and he is only 10.

Mistletoe Angel Magic · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:29 pm Post subject:

ddrmamiof3 · Trick Member Joined: 12 Nov 2006

I am really happy for you. It's nice to here from other people with autism
and especially nice to here good things.

Pyro90X · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

Lol wow i was just about to post this in the NY forums, but im happy to see that the schools and people are beginning to realize the upsides to DDR then seeing it as just another pointless game. I'm actually planning on going to my school's AP of Physical Ed and showing her the article and see if we can get that in my school. I think it would help greatly.......Even though some of the population might either rob or not like the idea, but I think its worth a shot.
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AceJay · Trick Member Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Location: Princeton, NJ

Chris: Yale Medford has an arcade cabinet? That's screwed up. Cherry Hill only has the 2 pads, Ultramix 4, and occasionally my PS2 versions ~_~

Others: Since we're all being so open, I was diagnosed with mild Aspergers as well. DDR probably has helped me.

Also, just wanted to note this article was actually not from the internet, and was on the front page of today's NY Times.
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Marq(uistadorous) · Trick Member Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Location: Arvada, CO

Reenee · Trick Member Joined: 21 Nov 2003

ICNH · Trick Member Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Location: Mahwah, NJ

Apparently, this article was read to health classes today. I had four people come up to me and say, "Our teacher told us an article about DDR! And you're that DDR kid!"

I was actually planning on asking for a machine to put in the cardio room for our Phys. Ed. classes at my school (I tried PS2/Xbox with pads last year in middle school....it didn't work). This might hopefully add more influence into my stance.

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SwmmrManShen · Trick Member Joined: 05 Apr 2006

no public school system is going to drop the thousands of dollars needed to buy machines for their schools. They're gonna get crappy CS versions with crappy soft pads. This is a neat idea, but will generally leave us alone, save adding some new members who are young and annoying.
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