Falling asleep in class? Looking for new, exciting material? If the answer is yes, the Kinesiology Department can spice up the monotony.

Classes offered include a variety of physical activity introductory courses, such as ice skating, hockey, volleyball, basketball, canoeing, aqua aerobics, aerobics, dance, outdoors adventure, badminton and bowling. Many run for eight weeks during the semester, while others run the full time.

Students enjoy taking these classes because they are fun and involve physical exercise.

Bob McGrew, assistant director of the Division of Campus Recreation, teaches Kinesiology 100, an Outdoor Adventure course and Kinesiology 107, Canoeing. Both run for eight weeks.

Students in the outdoor adventure course canoe, kayak, cross-country ski, in-line skate and snorkel, McGrew said. They also discuss backpacking, take a brief look at scuba diving, and learn about protecting the environment and how to plan a trip.

“We’re trying to introduce students to outdoor (recreational) activities,” McGrew said. “Another main function is to get students to do something physical.”

As for the canoeing class, McGrew said students learn how to control and maneuver the canoe, different paddling techniques and strokes, how to operate the boat both solo and with a partner, how to properly carry and get into a canoe, how the boat operates in different conditions and rescue and safety information.

In addition to meeting for class at IMPE or Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, McGrew and his students will take a day field trip to Kickapoo State Park.

“It’s a good experience and a good way for them to learn a little bit quicker when they’re out on the river,” McGrew said.

Students’ grades are based on skills tests and a written final exam, McGrew said.

Another course that involves water is Kinesiology 107, Aqua Aerobics. The class meets for eight weeks during the semester.

Heather Lawson, senior in Business, said she signed up for the course because it fit into her schedule and it sounded like fun.

“I’ve always enjoyed water, and I enjoy aerobic exercise during the day,” Lawson said.

Lawson said she has been learning things she wouldn’t normally do, and the class involves low-impact exercise and keeping a daily exercise journal. The class encourages overall health, she said.

“It’s a lot of fun and a good way to get physical activity,” Lawson said.

Another way to get physical activity is to take Kinesiology 104, Ice Skating.

Caitlin Vitosky, sophomore in LAS and ice skating instructor, said the goal for the eight-week course is to get students comfortable on the ice.

Skills taught in the class include learning how to balance on one foot, how to cross one foot over the other and how to swizzle, moving their feet in and out, Vitosky said.

“You can see how well you teach based on the progress (the students) make,” Vitosky said.

Melissa Smoler, junior in Education and skating instructor, said the students’ grades are based on three skills tests and a written final exam. She said students receive good grades as long as they are trying and improving.

Smoler said she enjoys teaching her peers.

“It’s neat to skate with them and be their cheerleader,” she said.

She said the class has a comfortable setting and the students work together and have fun with it.

And students like to have fun, which is why some take kinesiology courses.

JeJuan Herring, sophomore in LAS, said he wanted a fun class to take, so he registered for Kinesiology 109, Basketball. He said his favorite part of the class is when they have open gym.

Herring said he has been playing basketball since 4th grade, but from taking the class, he has learned the official names of some basketball movements.

Basketball instructor Edward Ofori said in-class activities include dribbling drills, shooting drills, passing drills and working with team offense and defense.

The goal is to try to make the students better players, Ofori said.

Though students find kinesiology classes fun, they enroll in them for other reasons as well.

Greg Dorgan, senior in LAS, said he is taking the basketball class because he wants to be a coach one day.

Dorgan said he wants to learn the fundamentals of basketball and wants to get different teaching perspectives on how to teach kids to play.

In addition, Dorgan said he registered for the class because he does not have much time to go to IMPE, as he is a member of the Marching Illini.

“I just love to play, knowing that I have the time each week set aside for it,” he said.