1. LET’S MAKE A MOVEMENT IN THE CLASSROOM UBC O Learning Conference May 2015 Dr. Sally Willis-Stewart, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, UBC O

2. AGENDA  The idea/issue/concept: Movement breaks in lectures  Why do this? a) classroom environment and enjoyment b) student health c) attention and concentration, learning, grades  Exercises  Pilot Study  Future Research

4. “STUDENT CENTERED” “focus is LEARNING, not TEACHING” How can we deliver our courses so students learn better?

5. “THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE POSES SIGNIFICANT AND COMPLEX CHALLENGES TO STUDENT WELL BEING........it is being addressed... everywhere but in the classroom.” (Georgetown U., 2011)

6. CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT AND ENJOYMENT  85% found the exercise breaks enjoyable  82.5% said that it improved the learning environment  ENJOYABLE = INCREASED CLASS ATTENDANCE = INCREASED LEARNING = MORE SOCIAL = MORE FEELINGS OF BELONGING = STUDENT RETENTION = BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

7. STUDENT HEALTH “sitting is the new smoking”Exercise and incidental exercise  Sedentary behaviour is one of the biggest contributing risk factors to chronic disease  Mental health (stress and anxiety)  Multitude of benefits from physical activity  Short bursts of exercise can positively impact physiological health parameters  Accumulate exercise through the day  Every little bit can help

8. Concentration and learning 81 % helpful to refocus in later half of class 80% very focused in later half of class 73% did NOT interrupt their concentration 82% positive effect on their ability to learn in class 76% effective use of class time

10. STUDENT LEARNING AND GRADES  Most research on elementary school kids  Not able to see impact on grades  Reported increases in classroom behaviour ratings  Links between physical activity and cognitive performance  Children felt more alert and focused  Improved “on task” behaviour

11. EXERCISES  From stretching to squats to “fast feet”  Consider space and culture  Simple; anyone can lead and do  Examples....

12. PILOT STUDY  Other findings included:  89% wished that att 80 mins. and longer classes included exercise breaks  31% indicated difficult to remain focused without exercise break  87% preferred exercise break vs non-exercise break  94% had better focus in exercise break lecture vs non exercise break lecture  70% enjoyed the exercise break more than the non exercise break lecture

13. CHALLENGES

14. WHAT’S NEXT?  Develop a manual on exercises for the classroom  Pilot in other disciplines  So.....

16. OTHER NEAT THINGS HAPPENING!  SFU research on student well being  First International Conference on Healthy Campuses, UBC O June 22 – 25, 2015  Development of a first year mandatory course on student health and well being