American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: October 2012

Using Pop Culture to Teach Biomechanics
Kathryn Ludwig 

Abstract: The self-referential effect uses what students know and have experienced to help them learn. This method of teaching involves engaging students in the learning process by encouraging them to relate information to aspects of themselves. Several scholarly works by teachers and academics promote the use of students' interests in popular culture to enhance learning and motivation in the classroom, and there is growing evidence that the approach works, even with large classes. This article shows how to use elements of pop culture to teach biomechanical concepts through a constructivist learning approach.