Evidence-based research shows that students are more motivated, stay on task longer and learn more effectively when they are active. There is also a clear positive association between physical activity and students’ wellbeing outcomes.
Improvements relating to physical activity are consistently evident in academic outcomes reflected in improved grades, improved attendance, and classroom behaviours and increased cognitive function (memory, processing speed, attention and inhibition), and psychosocial outcomes include general wellbeing, improvements in self-esteem and resilience and a decrease in depression and anxiety,4.
The School Sport Unit collaborates with a range of universities, academics and other government agencies to ensure that the professional learning opportunities and resources it offers to teachers are current, evidence-based and contribute to improved student outcomes.
The various studies and the professional learning opportunities that the Sport Unit supports are outlined below.
Current studies
Completed studies
Thinking while Moving in English is based on Dr Nick Riley's EASY (Encouraging Activity to Stimulate Young Minds) research. The research demonstrated that physical activity could effectively enhance student engagement and behaviour during English lessons through movement based learning.
TWM in English is extremely effective in engaging students and improving teacher practice. This short video (2.05 mins) outlines the Thinking while Moving in English approach and the benefits from the perspective of teachers, researchers and students. Read more about the Thinking while Moving in this overview of teaching strategies (DOCX 177KB).
How can I access professional learning?
To enrol in the free, self-paced Thinking while Moving eLearning course participants:
- follow the link to the MyPL website
- select ‘browse learning’ and enter the course code ‘NR31014’ or ‘School Sport Unit – Thinking while Moving’
- scroll down to select the course
- select ‘enrol’ at the top of the page and scroll down to select ‘launch’ to begin the course.
Enquiries for professional learning
9508 5526
Thinking while Moving resources
A range of Thinking while Moving lesson plans and resources can be found in the Teacher resource hub.
Enquiries for research
To find out more on the research, including access to the peer-reviewed journal articles please contact the Premier's Sporting Challenge by email at psc@det.nsw.edu.au.
The Thinking while Moving (TwM) in mathematics research was conducted by Dr Nick Riley’s from the University of Newcastle. The research demonstrated that using physical activity to deliver mathematics lessons enhanced student enagement and behaviour.
TwM is extremely effective in engaging students and improving teacher practice. To learn more about TwM watch the short summary video or video on TwM benefits and how it works, or read the TwM Overview of teaching strategies (DOCX 177KB)
How can I access professional learning?
To enrol in the free, self-paced Thinking while Moving eLearning course participants:
- follow the link to the MyPL website
- select ‘browse learning’ and enter the course code ‘NR31014’ or ‘School Sport Unit – Thinking while Moving’
- scroll down to select the course
- select ‘enrol’ at the top of the page and scroll down to select ‘launch’ to begin the course.
Enquiries for professional learning
9508 5526
Thinking while Moving resources
A range of Thinking while Moving lesson plans and resources can be found in the Teacher resource hub.
Enquiries for research
To find out more on the research, including access to the peer-reviewed journal articles please contact the Premier's Sporting Challenge by email at psc@det.nsw.edu.au.
iPlay (Internet based PL to promote Activity in Youth - Australian Catholic University (2016 - 2021)
iPLAY (internet based Professional Learning to help teachers promote Activity in Youth) aims to increase the physical activity levels of primary school students and improve teacher confidence to deliver PE and sport lessons through the completion of on-line learning modules.
iPLAY has a whole-of-school focus, develops strategies to impact curriculum outcomes and offers resources to inform and encourages the wider school community to provide more sport and physical activity opportunities for students.
Mentors directly assist schools to be involved in iPLAY. They offer advice and support to those teachers who take on the responsibility of being an iPLAY leader and help them to complete 13 hours of professional learning which aligns with Highly Accomplished standard descriptors.
Classroom teachers can achieve up to 2 and 13 hours of professional learning which aligns with Proficient standard descriptors.
Explore the iPLAY website to learn more about this exciting professional learning opportunity and how your school can sign up to be part of this exciting program.
Read the NSW Goverment News article published on 4 July 2018 - The breakthrough PE program giving kids fitness and focus.
View the iPLAY success story video from Cambridge Gardens Public School.
View the 7 News video aired on 30 June 2018.
Register your school's interest to be part of this amazing professional learning opportunity through the iPLAY website.
Based on the recent studies (NEAT and ATLAS) which investigated factors affecting adolescents’ engagement with physical activity the School Sport Unit (SSU) has developed a workshop known as Resistance Training for Teens (RT4T). This course is promoted by the SSU as a foundation concept for lifelong involvement in physical activity.
The workshop provides innovative training and motivation for both PDHPE and non-PDHPE teachers and aims to encourage teachers to role model/teach health and fitness in either school sport and/or PDHPE sessions.
RT4T has been shown to have significant positive outcomes for students with low levels of perceived competence and poor physical self-concept. It is viewed as a foundation concept for lifelong involvement in physical activity and offers a variety of activities to stimulate interest and maintain motivation. View the short RT4T video to learn more about this innovative program.
Teachers are trained to deliver a program of resistance training sessions using printed resources and accessible apps - all designed as effective tools in creating and sustaining a positive learning environment for disengaged students.
This professional learning is currently under review, for inquiries please contact the professional learning team at tplschoolsport@det.nsw.edu.au.
UPDATE: The Resistance Training for teens app is now live. |
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The Burn 2 Learn (B2L) project involves working with senior school students to help improve not just their physical health, but also their cognitive and mental health.
The program design allows students to choose the type and timing of high intensity activities to meet their needs and interests.
Resources for boxing, dance, running, resistance training and sport-based HIIT sessions are all linked to an app that gives students individual or group information, prompts, performance feedback and motivational messages.
View the B2L video to learn more about this project.
Training for this course is currently under review and will soon be delivered through an e-learning course for inquiries please contact the TPL team by email: tplschoolsport@det.nsw.edu.au.
Physical Activity for Everyone (PA4E1) is a Hunter New England (HNE) Health initiative offering support and resources to review, renew and enhance secondary school sport, physical education and physical activity programs.
38 department schools signed up early in 2018 to be part of a study to measure the impact of seven practices proven to enhance physical activity opportunities within schools. Policy, teaching practice, the school environment as well as community and family considerations are all addressed by the practices.
The School Sport Unit (SSU) has collaborated with HNE Health in developing this initiative and encourages schools to access departmental professional learning opportunities such as Developing procedures for school sport and Reviewing procedures for school sport to strengthen existing sport and physical activity programs. These professional learning experiences also support the implementation of the revised Sport and Physical Activity Policy.
Schools interested in strategies to improve student engagement are encouraged to enrol in the Resistance Training for Teens course (in section above) and access templates provided in the online courses.
HAPPY (Healthy Active Peaceful Playgrounds for Youth) is an inclusive and evidence-based approach to primary school physical activity environments that was successfully trialled in schools in 2015.
Teachers who participated in HAPPY training reported improved confidence and commitment in delivering physical activity sessions in school playground spaces at recess and lunch, more positive relationships between children when engaged in physical activity and enhanced peer and teacher social support for physical activity in playground spaces during the school day.
The School Sport Unit promoted HAPPY as a strategy to increase student physical activity levels and improved teacher confidence to lead students in playground activities.
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