Increasing physical activity among elementary school students during distance learning: The StandUp Kids Study

Abstract

Sedentary behaviour among primary school students has been associated with unfavourable health outcomes, which have been believed to be exacerbated by distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present the methodology used to design and develop interventions to increase physical activity in 4th grade students using a participatory, systems approach while online learning. Preliminary formative evaluation of training has indicated a positive reception by the stakeholders. This study highlights the importance of a systems approach to engage stakeholders in the betterment of our students’ health.

Trends in the Proceedings of the International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors AND Ergonomics Society (2021)

“…Learning appears in one lecture section titled "H/F Learning and STEM Ed in K-16". Other examples of "learning" being used in the conference proceedings include the influence of feedback types on the use of automation during learning (Brunsen et al, 2021), a diary study of teaching and learning in a high school programming course (Huff & Brinkley, 2021), and increasing physical activity during distance learning (Okoro et al, 2021). Distance learning is likely a newer trend, once that has gained traction in the field of human factors and ergonomics amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Learning is Compromised during Remote Instruction --- A Social Cybernetic Analysis

“…Various observations address the adverse impact of remote instruction on student learning and wellbeing, relative to classroom instruction. Observations of this impact include: 1) attrition rates for online classes are 10 percent to 20 percent higher than for in-person classes, with some estimates much higher (Patterson & McFadden, 2009); 2) distraction can undermine the effectiveness of online education (Guijosa, 2019); 3) higher student conscientiousness is associated with higher GPA scores during remote instruction, relative to classroom instruction (Stone, 2021); 4) unfavorable health outcomes are associated with sedentary behavior among primary school students, thought to be exacerbated during remote learning (E-learning), prompting development of a physical activity program for 4 th graders aimed at mitigating these effects (Okoro et al, 2021); 5) cultural differences in oral communication can create a potential mismatch with asynchronous threaded discussion common to online courses ---black students may be disproportionately affected (Fox, 2005); 6) mismatches between students' expectations and actual course content can compromise E-learning (Brinkerhoff and Koroghlanian, 2007); and 7) teachers of online courses identify few instances of peer-to-peer collaborative learning, and incomplete utilization of available tools, as obstacles to meaningful online learning (Kerr, 2010(Kerr, -2011.…”