April 01, 2011 | Andrew Steiner



“We’re very enthused. I like to think of it as allowing students to clasp the crag with virtual hands.”

“We’re very enthused. I like to think of it as allowing students to clasp the crag with virtual hands.”

Inspired by the news of part-time physics and astronomy teacher Andrew Vanden Heuvel’s nomination for 2011 Online Teacher of the Year, Calvin’s department of health, physical education, recreation, dance & sport (HPERDS) has debuted several classes in a new virtual format. Rock Climbing I and II (PER 141 and PER 142), Water Aerobics (PER 110), Nordic Walking (PER 102) and a number of other core physical education and recreation classes can now be taken online.

Campus Recreation Coordinator Ryan Walter Rooks, one of the chief architects of the new format, shared his rationale for the move with the Muskegon Chronicle: “The combination of mental calisthenics and physical engagement with computers creates for users a condition similar to the Zen-like state master climbers experience on the wall. I’d say no, almost nothing is lost in translation.” 

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