Pupils energised to get active
A new interactive treasure hunt game is being officially unveiled today (WEDS) as part of a co-ordinated campaign to reduce inactivity among primary school pupils across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The Tech-Know Trail is being launched by county sports partnership Energize at the education technology conference EdTech, being held at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.
The urgent need to help our children be more active has gained a growing number of media headlines in recent months.
Studies have shown 80 per cent of young people aged five to 15 are not active enough, and more than 33 per cent lead sedentary lives by the time they reach 15.
The Energize team, based in Shrewsbury, is aiming to reduce inactivity across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, and has put together a series of practical plans in place for primary schools.
“We already do a lot across the county to encourage and support schools with their PE curriculum,” said Harry Cade, engagement manager for education and families.
“The school games festivals are major milestones in the calendar of all our local schools, but we needed a way to increase activity for all children, and not just those who enjoy sport.
“We are working with Wild Goose – an activity technology specialist, who together with teachers from a number of schools, have developed ‘Tech-Know Trail’, a range of 100 treasure hunt style games aimed at developing numeracy and literacy skills which can be easily incorporated into the school day.”
There are 20 games for each year group, from years two to six, all using QR codes and ipads or other smart devices to integrate activity and learning both indoors and outdoors, within the school grounds.
Oakmeadow CE Primary School at Bayston Hill was used as a pilot for the games in the summer, and staff and pupils alike gave it a big thumbs up, with 89 per cent of pupils saying they enjoyed the active lesson more than traditional teaching formats.
Teachers also described it as ‘a really positive lesson’, saying: “Not only were the children active but we were also reinforcing all their learning.”
Harry and colleague Ben Harper, who will be presenting Tech-Know Trail at EdTech, say they hope to share the benefits of the project with as many schools as possible over the coming weeks.
EdTech, now in its second year, will host a gathering of representatives from some of the world’s biggest names in technology including Microsoft, Google, BT, LEGO, and Smoothwall.
