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When one thinks about using technology to support learning, the typical types of spaces we think of are traditional classrooms, media centers or STEM labs. After all, it’s easy to imagine how technologies such as AI tools, robots, VR headsets, and computers, for example, can be used to support learning in these settings. But gymnasiums? They probably aren’t even on the list during these conversations for most districts. We believe they should be–here’s why.
Physical movement supports academics
There is significant evidence of the connection between physical movement and learning. Some colleges and universities encourage using standing or treadmill desks while studying, as well as taking breaks to exercise. The NEA encourages teachers to bring physical activity into the classroom by incorporating brain breaks in students’ daily routines or taking classroom activities outside. A university developed a course that meshes physics lessons with martial arts. An elementary school teacher discussed how math can be integrated into PE class–for instance, students can measure and make calculations related to how far they jump or how fast they run, or myriad other activities.
Learning and physical activity also work well because of the “fun factor.” When students are moving, they are having fun. When they are having fun, they are engaged. When they are engaged, they retain what they learn. Think about the songs or chants that kids come up with when they skip rope. As adults, we likely still remember those rhymes. A student might not remember their score on a math test, but they likely vividly recall that time they shot the winning basket that sent their team to the state championship. It’s all about learning through physical activity.
Tech as a tool to facilitate movement-based learning
Using technology to support learning is a core priority at West Baton Rouge Parish Schools. Our technology team, because of the reasons we just described, wanted to find a way to use technology to leverage the excitement and fun that accompanies physical activities–whether it’s sports, dancing, or other types of movement–to engage students in learning.
We were able to accomplish this in a larger-than-life way by installing a system called Lü that uses projectors and educational games to create an amazing physical learning experience in our school gymnasiums.
We installed Lü systems, featuring Epson laser projectors, in every elementary and middle school gymnasium. The projectors are used in combination with a motion-detecting camera, a powerful sound system, a fully automated multi-color lighting system, and a library of educational content and games to transform school gyms into immersive learning environments.
To use the system, teachers select from a library of fun, educational games that are then projected onto the gymnasium wall, creating big, bright images so students can physically interact with the content. For instance, students can bounce balls off of the wall or jump and move around to touch or tap different spots on the wall during a game to trigger responses from the system. Games incorporate math problems, vocabulary, and other lessons, creating experiences that blend physical activity and learning in a fun and engaging way.
During March, teachers created a multi-week “March Madness” competition in which students were divided into two teams during PE class to play an interactive basketball game with the system. A basketball hoop was projected onto the wall and each team had five minutes, during which students took turns throwing basketballs at the image trying to “make a basket.” Leveraging the interactivity of the system, which senses where the basketballs hit the wall and gives students points based on how close they are to the basket, teams scored as many points as possible during their five minutes, and the scores are tallied and tracked. At the end of the several-week challenge, the team with the most points earned a pizza party.
We aren’t the only school district using projection technology in school gymnasiums. It is a great way to add a new and exciting twist to PE class, whether it’s helping students hone their soccer skills or using it with interactive learning to reinforce classroom learning. For the students and teachers, it’s just plain fun. From a technology standpoint, we look at the system as a form of blended learning, where online activities complement regular face-to-face instruction. It’s the idea that tech is being used as a tool to deliver fun, engaging instruction. The kids are using technology to play a game, and at the same time are learning math and other content without really thinking about it because they’re so engrossed in the game.
Strategies for success
There are many ways schools can incorporate technology and movement to support learning. If your school is considering jumping in with a new system, product, or initiative, here are some things teachers and technology coaches should keep in mind.
- Start small. If you are purchasing equipment, do a trial run first with one classroom or one school. Get feedback, work out any kinks, and get it to the point where the teachers love it before expanding it to other classrooms and/or schools. At our district, we started with installing the Lü system in an elementary school that serves grades 3-5. Teachers loved it. It got to the point where in the afternoons, some of the teachers would use the system to get exercise after school. They would gather in the school’s gymnasium and use some of the activities for aerobic exercise instead. Once we got that level of buy-in at one school, all of the other schools really wanted one. We were able to use pandemic-related funding to expand the initiative. It was all about getting kids active and moving and healthy while promoting learning.
- Be creative. When installing new technology, there will always be challenges. Perhaps there isn’t a strong enough internet connection, or there are too few outlets, or myriad other issues. In order to make a tech initiative work, it’s important to think outside of the box. In our case, there was one school that didn’t have a flat wall large enough to accommodate the games (it’s recommended that the walls be at least 19 feet by 11 feet with a ceiling height of 10 feet). That school, with the support of our reseller Trafera, created a work-around by building a “temporary wall” that connects on a hinge. We can unfold the wall and use it for the activities, then fold it back up when it is not in use. When facing implementation challenges, there is almost always a way that the problem can be solved by approaching it at a new angle.
- Have fun! When doing professional development, emphasize how much kids love playing games. By implementing game-based learning, you can kind of trick them into doing math problems because they think they’re playing a game. And when you mesh physical activity and gaming with learning, it has even more of an impact. Even rote memorization like practicing multiplication tables is suddenly exciting to them.
Embracing gaming and movement is a magic potion that makes learning fun. By utilizing technology, schools can create opportunities where physical education classes can teach both physical activity skills and skills in math, reading, vocabulary and more–taking engagement and learning to the next level.
