Learning from the Pedometer in Schools Pilot

Anna Chalkley

British Heart Foundation

1

Pedometers• Compact gadgets which record the number of steps (and

distance) you do while walking.

• Key Government documents advocate the use of pedometers

- At least 5 a Week (CMO Report, 2004)- Choosing health (2005)

• Used as “movement motivators” and can promote;- goal setting- self monitoring- self awareness

What is it?

• School-based pedometer promotion for pupils in KS2 (years 6 – 9) to increase activity levels.

• 54 schools took part (primary and secondary) from 10 school sport partnerships.

• Cross curricular learning programme uses pedometers to support the delivery of the curriculum whilst raising an awareness of the role of physical activity in maintaining health and well-being.

SOTM Resources

• SOTM website www.schoolsonthemove.co.uk

• Pedometers/Odometers

• SOTM Teacher Handbook

SOTM Website

Public Area

The home page, serving as

a welcome to the site and

providing information on;

• Physical activity

• Pedometers/odometers

• Pedometer challenges

• Latest news

Home Page

• Pupil profile providing summary of step data including;• Graph of average steps• Current ‘walker status’• Number of step entries overdue• Highest ever step count

• Pedometer coach (feedback)

Pupil Area

Enter Steps• Pupils are encourage to access the site and log steps at least

once a week

• Once entered, pedometer coach will provide feedback based on their step target for that week

• Pupils can not go back and change their entries once they have been made

• Pupils can enter a max of 20,000

Information

• This section provides links to PDF’s relating to;

• Physical activity – why is it important, how much should we do?

• Pedometers/Odometers – what are they and why do I need one?

• Healthy Eating – fit for it or couch potato?

Challenges – Super Strider• Ongoing participation challenge based on accumulating steps

• 5 levels; 5,000 steps = Patient Pacer7,000 steps = Star Stroller

10,000 steps = Wicked Walker12,000 steps = Top Trekker15,000 steps = Super Strider!

• Designed to encourage students to relate their activity to recommended daily levels and increase their awareness of how much activity they should be aiming for.

• Pupil’s progress can be checked after steps have been entered and feedback given every time they log on.

Challenges - Globetrotter

• Participation challenge based on completing a virtual route to walk around the world along 36 destinations, covering all 5 continents.

• Designed to encourage regular participation and maintain interest.

• Ideal class-based challenge/theme on which to base a term’s activity as every student’s steps will contribute to completing the route.

• Globetrotter league allows pupils to view their progress compared to other forms.

Challenges – Hot Stepper

• Recognises individual participation and effort.

• Designed to reward pupils for regularly logging steps and consistently meeting targets.

• To become a Hot Stepper pupils need to have reached their daily step target on 4 consecutive weeks

Challenges - Extra

• Peak Performance – Walking isn’t just a horizontalmovement!

• Dizzy Heights – How high can you go?• Stepping Stones – Complete the daily activity tasks to

cross the river• Fill a Friend’s Footsteps – Challenge a friend

• Form League – Compares form’s progress against others in the year based on average step counts

• Monthly Promotion – Featuring a challenge/competition based on a topical event

TipsDesigned to motivate and provide additional Info• Motivational tips• Fat chances/thin excuses• SMART Stepper• It All Counts• FAQ’s• Opportunities for pupils to submittheir own ideas to the site which canbe displayed for others to see

FunInteractive Games – relates into a real-time situation and runs according to student’s activity levels forprevious weeks• SOTM Football Challenge• SOTM Half Marathon• Globetrotter• 4 Peaks

• SOTM Grand PrixQuick Quiz

Teacher AreaPersonal profile displaying quick reference summary step information for theyear, including;• Number of pupils• Average daily steps• Total steps• No of entries overdue

Administration• Displays a list for your class where you have the option to view

pupil’s progress, add/edit step data and change pupil details asappropriate

• In this section you can; • Add/edit teachers and pupils• Modify the sets that pupils belong to and teachers

are responsible for• Change school details including project start date and the

start destination for the Globetrotter challenge• Keep track of certificates to be issued

Project Info• This section contains a number of useful downloads which

provide you with further information about the project. These include;

• About SOTM – objectives of the project• Implementation Guidelines – How to’s• Pedometer/Odometer Instructions• SOTM and the National Agenda – How SOTM

can fulfil National requirements• Challenge Info – What they are

Supporting Info• Here you will find ideas, suggestions, tips and examples of

practical measures you can adopt.• Information includes;

• Physical activity – how you can help to get young peoplemore active

• Healthy Eating and the Balance of Good Health• Tips – walking statistics and ways to

increase steps• Inspirations – practical suggestions• FAQ’s

Data Downloads• Here you can download the raw step data for your

students directly into Excel, by School or form

• You can also download all the usernames and passwords for either the whole school or by form

Project Templates• In this section you can find downloads which can

be individually tailored and include;

• A template for a parent’s letter• Downloadable step log• Certificates

Lesson PlansProviding initial ideas and outlining curriculum links within Geography, Science, Maths, P.E Art and Design, Citizenship and PSHE on which to base a lesson.

Designed to help the deliverof the curriculum in a fun and interesting way.

Feedback Forum• Provides you with the opportunity to give and receive

support from others as well as submit comments and suggestions to the SOTM team.

• Here you can;– Submit and idea– Report a technical problem– Request Support– Share an idea– Make a suggestion/comment– Share success

Evaluation• 51% of pupils perceived themselves to have

increased their activity levels as a result of the project.

• Daily step counts increased in and outside of school hours as well as weekends.

• SOTM was equally successful for boys as well as girls

• Evidence to suggest that the project particularly appealed to and increased the activity levels of the more sedentary pupils.

Evaluation• Step counts increased steadily from an average of

8355 steps at baseline to 16436 in week 28.

• SOTM was equally successful in improving activity levels of both low active and high active pupils Baseline End of

Project

High Active 11,245 15,846

Low Active 5,644 12,489

Key Learning Outcomes

School’s ethos and a whole-school approach is a significant and

important part in pupil’s participation and engagement with

activity.

Pedometers are a strong motivator for activity

provided they are accompanied with guidance

It is very important to provide adult role models I.e.Teacher’s

and AOTTs who also participate and can provide

support to pupils

Pupils enjoy and are motivated by working closely with their friends

and peers

Awareness and practice of other health

behaviours I.e. healthy eating, are closely

associated with activity.

It is possible to engage

participant’s friends and family, via

indirect exposure to health messages

Task!Discuss in 2 groups:

1. What are your experiences of using pedometers as an intervention?

2. How could this be translated into a school setting?

Brainstorm and prepare to present on:“Considerations when engaging children

and young people in a pedometer intervention”?

Any Questions?Thank you for your time!

For more Information:www.schoolsonthemove.co.uk

A.E.Chalkley@lboro.ac.uk01509 228263