Move and Pedal for Better Learning Erasmus Project

Project Title

Move and Pedal for Better Learning

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Disabilities – special needs; Health and wellbeing; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

The aim of the project “Move and Pedal for Better Learning!“ is to integrate regular movement boosts and endurance training in the classroom in order to raise the pupils’ attention and ability to concentrate.
Exercise breaks are conducive to achieving an optimal level of active learning, improving long term cognitive skills during long periods of teaching. When students suffer from high levels of stress, severe restlessness or fatigue, the short movement boosts act like a time-out or break and in turn refresh the students.
Many studies have shown that a lack of exercise can cause obesity, gambling addiction and depression. These problems are on the rise in all European countries. During puberty and secondary schooling, students often suffer the most from these negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
The secondary school system has the additional task of motivating and guiding adolescents so that they can lead a healthy life and improve their well-being. In order for students to learn well, they need the best conditions for optimal cognitive, psychological, physical and social development. Exercise is one of the best breeding grounds for creating these conditions. The increasing adverse behaviours such as hyperactivity, lack of concentration, depression, low frustration tolerance, obesity etc. drive the incorporation of exercise in everyday school life, giving students a chance to meet the requirements and tasks of school.
Additionally, there are times in the students’ personal and family life that lead to circumstances that we are unaware of: A sudden death or loss, health problems or conflict can negatively affect students’ productivity and concentration leading to disruptive behaviours in class. In cases like these, we find ourselves as educators incapable of helping our students overcome their difficulties. The implementation of a sports program, like using smart-bike trainers, exercises and desk-bikes within the school hours can provide a safety net for students at risk. Studies about this type of active-break have found that it can improve levels of dopamine and memory performance.
The Spanish school and the Nardini-School have previously cooperated in an Erasmus+ project called “Pedal for Better Learning”. We are excited to bring our success and experience to this new project in which we expand our focus from exercises on indoor bike trainers to 3 essential components:

1. Aerobic and strength exercises/coordination exercises – fitness boosts.
These are carried out with the whole class in the classroom and serve as an active break and short break in the class. By the end of the project the students will have selected their favorite exercises and they will be made into a handbook and DVDs.

2. Use of desk-bikes.
These are used by hyperactive, tired or unconcentrated students during the lesson. This allows these students to exert energy while working without disturbing others. This helps a lot to increase the ability to concentrate.

3. Time-out room with at least 3 virtual smart-bike trainers.
This is for individual students or small groups of students who need an active break from their lessons. Here you can work out so that you can then go back to class motivated. the virtual trainers allow students to mentally escape from their stress and simultaneously improve their physical fitness and endurance.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 139982 Eur

Project Coordinator

Nardini-Schule Gerlachsheim & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Realschule Oberkirch
• 11th Junior High School of Ioannina
• IES MONTESCLAROS
• Anyksciu Antano Baranausko pagrindine mokykla