ActivEd Blog

Dr. Julian Reed, founder of ActivEd, was recently interviewed for Furman University's News segment on their website.

Are you looking for technology that integrates movement with language arts, reading, and math content and is easy to implement? Walkabouts fits the bill! Following are the 4 keys for a digital implementation and how Walkabouts stacks up to each. 

1. Bandwith and Saturation: To prepare to use Walkabouts in the classroom, a school should ensure not only sufficient bandwidth for all computers and other devices that will play Walkabouts, but also reliable and consistent access to the internet.
2. Staff/Community Readiness: A Walkabout can be played in a classroom setting in just a few clicks and requires no intensive teacher preparation. Teachers should tell students they'll be up and out of their seats as they move while they learn with Walkabouts. If desired, teachers can also provide student access to Walkabouts at home to make a home-school connection.
3. Devices/Platform: The web-based Walkabouts platform is designed to operate easily and effectively using standard equipment available in virtually all classrooms. Necessary technology and equipment include an internet connection, a computer with up-to-date browser, and an optional display or projector. 
4. Implementation/Rollout: Because Walkabouts supplement what teachers are already covering in the classroom, implementation is as simple as picking a Walkabout to introduce a concept, provide practice on a topic, or review a previously-taught skill. To help teachers implement Walkabouts, ActivEd provides Quick Reference Guides and how-to videos for both teachers and students/parents.

Want to learn more about Walkabouts? 

Ready to get started moving and learning with Walkabouts? Email contact@activedinc.com!

What happens when your school closes due to inclement weather? Does the learning stop? At some schools, it doesn't! A recent article reports that a school in Kentucky has "implemented at-home learning days instead of snow days." In Ohio, "students may complete assignments – known as 'blizzard bags' – when winter weather closes schools." Some schools also employ technology to keep students on track during unexpected days off. 

Do your students need extra help with specific standards-based skills? Assign a Walkabout! It's easy to do, and it can help:

Researchers at Iowa State University* in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics at the *University of California at Irvine independently examined the effectiveness of our Walkabouts in a recent research study. The purpose as outlined in the attached scientific abstract was: to examine the effect of integrated physical activity with academic subjects using the “Walkabouts” program, compared to traditional lessons, on inattention and hyperactivity among PreK to 2nd grade students over an 8-week period. Results showed that children assigned to the intervention group improved significantly more, compared to the control group, in both inattention and hyperactivity, whereas children in the control group had a decrease in their performance over the 8-week period. Students who received Walkabouts had a decrease in hyperactivity while increasing their attention. This was an independent study conducted by these two R1 research universities and ActivEd was not involved in the administration, was blind to the methodology and the results until the study was completed.

*Iowa State University and the University of California at Irvine are two of 115 institutions that are classified as "R1: Research Universities (Highest research activity)" in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in the US.

Would you like to see this research in action in your classrooms? Request a free trail of Walkabouts!