The student will:

• Identify at least three ways technology has influenced athletics in the last 20 years.

• Form and support an opinion regarding the use of technology to enhance sports performance.

Articles from Web sites (see Related Web Sites below)

INTRODUCTION:

Begin by asking students for examples of technology that have made their lives easier (remote car locking, cell phones, pagers, computers, voice mail, etc).

Then ask them to check out their clothes and raise their hands if they are wearing anything that is NOT a natural fiber, like cotton or wool.  (Most, if not all, will raise their hands.)  Make the point that their clothes are made from man-made fibers, developed through technology.

Point out that when technology benefits us, we tend not to question it.  However, technology is a controversy in almost every Olympic competition, as it is this year, and it is always heavily debated. 

Tell students they are going to read several articles on the impact of technology on clothing, equipment, and training techniques.  One article "High-Tech Olympians" by David Bjerklie (Technology Review, Jan. 1993) (Web site also given) should be considered the primary reading.  Others can be given as you feel is necessary for the assignment.

ASSIGNMENT:

Students will write an opinion paper and support their opinion responding to the question, "Should technological advances be allowed in the Olympic Games?"  Students must use at least one citation from the readings provided to support their opinion.

Format of the Paper
1.  Introduction
2.  Statement of opinion and reasons
3.  Paragraph explaining each reason
4.  Conclusion  

• For some students it may be helpful to engage in a discussion prior to writing to help them formulate their ideas.  Others may benefit from the use of a graphic organizer to plan their writing.

• Computer(s)
• Printer
• Internet Connection
• Word Processing Software
• Image Processing Software

Rebel with a Golden Cause - use of computer video for training:  Gymnast Wilson using high-tech tools in quest for Olympic victory

High Tech Swimsuit Makes Waves: Every four years there's a new apparel angle - flashy running outfits, new shoes, the ceremonial warm-ups. But this year the race is on for swimsuit design.

Special Needs Students:

• Limit the number of articles and/or highlight the main ideas in each article before handing them out to students.

Gifted Students :

• Select a sport that has adopted a change in equipment, technique, etc. as a result of technology.  The student can conduct research to determine the impact or change, if any, it has made on athletic performances or records.  Use that information as the support in the opinion paper.

• Computer(s)
• Internet Connection

Assessment Tools:

6 Trait Writing Assessment (Rubrics and Definitions) available at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Web site.