Health & Academic Performance with Happy Children "HAPHC" (R-11507)

The Online Support of Active Learning (OSAL) project aims to train teachers how to improve learning outcomes as well as promote health through PAAC approach also in a digital environment. By replacing theoretical activities with a school-based physical activity program within the curriculum (PAAC) the children will attend PA while learning their curriculum in a digital environment. Using schools as an intervention arena reaches all socio-economical, cultural, and health status layers with the potential of reducing inequality in health and pedagogical performance. With the plan to benefit the existing technologies and adopt the methods that teaching would give good learning and health results also in a digital environment. Yet the research team detected difficulties with the implementation of teaching on-line due to lack of experiences, training, and knowledge of teachers, difficulties regarding access to digital technology and an internet connection, and absence of knowledge and training of teachers and parents on how to assist the digital learning back home. For the purpose of OSAL the suited set of digital tools, methods, and approaches need to be developed to address and evaluate the effects of a large-scale longitudinal intervention on-line. The focus is the following thematic areas, i) digital learning and cognition, ii) nutrition and growth, including obesity, iii) physical activity and physical health in a digital era, iv) mental health and quality of life in the digital era v) training of teachers and students of education for learning in a digital environment. Both gender and different cultural setting and health status pupils will perform the same PAAC learning in a digital environment through the project. This will hopefully empower all kids to perform physical activity also learning on-line. An equal number of women and men are also represented among the research staff which will bring different aspects and ideas into the development of the IO's. This application adheres well to the Erasmus+ program plan's main aim to improve digital competencies and develop innovative approaches to children innovation by developing innovative teaching practices for a digital environment, digital platforms and assistants for implementation, and Moodle course on active learning in the digital environment for current and future teachers at primary schools. OSAL emphasizes the prioritized thematic areas given in the call for development, implementation, and evaluation of the innovative and effective digital approach materials and systems for primary education, developing high-quality early childhood education and care systems through Sustainable investment, quality and efficiency of education, training, and youth systems. The aim is to train and equip teachers and students of education to perform active learning through physical activity in the digital environment, which will promote public health within physical activity, inactivity, diet, and prevention of non-communicable diseases among children in primary schools and enhance learning results. The project includes partners from different sectors, such as academia, municipality, primary education, and thereby creates a cross-sectional collaborative network of highly skilled experts in a Pan-European study

Keywords:Children, Learning environment, Physical activity

Disciplines:Rehabilitation

Project type:Collaboration project