Movement Improves learning experience in Schools Erasmus Project

Project Title

Movement Improves learning experience in Schools

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 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Inclusion – equity; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

MILES project which, through increased physical activity and brain breaks during school hours, has resulted in an improvement in academic performance, attention span, logical reasoning and healthy habits.
This project is aimed at 14-15 years old students in 6 different schools around Europe .
Physical activity , well being and learning process are all closely linked.
Physical activity promotion is essential inside the schools. Including the daily practice of sports and physical activity during school time can contribute relevantly to healthy lifestyles and health improvement, academic performance and general well-being of students, teachers and academic institutions in general.

Hypothesis:
Based on various studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects of physical activity on cognitive functions, including positive results in academic achievement, explained by the increase in synaptic density, blood flow, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity etc.
We propose testing this theory through an experimental study on students in 3rd and 4th grade (14-15 years old) of secondary school using the variable of physical activity as factor to improve attention capacity and logical reasoning.

Background:
The basic idea for the programe was born from the relationship the school has with the Gasol Foundation. This foundation put us in contact with a school in the United States where academic excellence was closely linked with the increase in daily physical activity of the students.
Naperville Central High School in Illinois uses scientific knowledge when using sports and exercise as a strategy for improving a students academic performance .
On hearing about this school and their methodology we decided to visit them and see first-hand how we could learn from it and incorporate it into our centre.
The Head of Secondary School and Head of PE department visited Naperville school for 5 days in May 2015, along with visits to other schools in the district with a similar pedagogical philosophy in order to get a wider perspective of how the principles of the project can be implemented.
We started the MILES project in our school in September 2015. During the first school year we increased the amount of timetabled PE classes by 1 hour for students aged 14-15 years old (4th Year of Secondary).

Objectives
Demonstrate that an increase in daily physical activity and movement in the classroom :
– Improves the physical and mental health of students in the first instance and has indirect repercussions on the whole school community
x Parents
x Teachers
x School Community
– Improves academic performance
– Reduces disciplinary incidences
– Increases students’ attention, specific regard to students with diagnosis of AD/H
– Improves healthy habits

Methodology:
Over the course of 2 academic years we will programe an increase in the amount of physical activity programmed and brain breaks for students in 3rd and 4th (15 and 16 years old) grade of Secondary.

– Daily Physical Education. Aerobic exercise (70-90% of maximum Cardiac Frequency)
x Classes first thing in the morning
x Fitness-based instructor-led classes with music
x Use of heart rate monitors
– Brain Breaks (kinesthetic classroom)
x Brief interruptions in the classroom that allow students to refocus attention and increase readiness for work..
– Revitalization of playground breaks with sports activities
x mini leagues in different sports
x musical choreography

Throughout these 2 years systematic measurements will be taken of:
– Attention span
x After physical activity
x Without previous physical activity
– Logical reasoning
x After physical activity
x Without previous physical activity
– Academic achievement: marks throughout the school year
– Disciplinary Incidences: Evolution of incidences throughout the school year
– Measurement of attention, hyperactivity and changes in behavior towards teachers through standardized questionnaires
– Measurement of attention, hyperactivity and changes in behavior towards the family through standardize
– Evaluation questionnaires about health related habits completed: eating behavior, physical activity, sleep duration/quality and emotional wellbeing.

Project Website

http://www.mileserasmus.eu/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 79656 Eur

Project Coordinator

EDUCESA SL & Country: ES

Project Partners

• International School of Düsseldorf
• Liceo Scientifico e Linguistico Statale Principe Umberto di Savoia
• Ankara Atatürk Lisesi
• Escola Secundária de Loulé
• Ahmon koulu