A Change of Course
From “Sitness” Back to Fitness
Jean Moize, cocreator of Action Based Learning and expert in the field of kinesthetic teaching, has spent her career examining the benefits of movement on the learning process and the deterioration of physical activity in our society. She describes our culture as engaging in “sitness” as opposed to fitness as we have done in the past (ACHPER National, 2011). Are we currently breeding a generation that sits for most of their waking hours? Many people would agree with Moize in that our younger generation is leading inactive lifestyles. How we address these concerns is a fundamental matter for educators. In Chapter 2, we will explore the power of movement in our classrooms and our society. There is extensive research that links fitness to academic achievement and performance. This information is supportive and convincing in that education must embrace active teaching methodologies in an effort to revert our society back to one that produces physically active children that are fit and healthy.
Ponder how children spend their time after school hours. Are they outside playing sports and physical games with their peers, as many of their parents did when they were children? Many youngsters are watching television, playing video games, and interacting on social media for countless hours. Therefore, a large percentage of our children are participating in activities that result in sitting and stationary movements. These choices have a negative impact on the health and fitness levels of our youngsters. Parents are frustrated and, in many instances, do not know how to motivate their children to become active and curious movers. A pattern has developed, and now we can create strategies that reverse this direction to bring our children from “sitness” back to fitness.
Does it surprise you that research provides evidence that physically fit students perform better academically? Teachers are often able to make the connection among the physical, mental/emotional, and cognitive benefits that will naturally result from engaging in regular physical activity. As discussed previously in this chapter, we used to be a society of movers. This basic human need is still within our children. Behaviors and habits can be reformed through purposeful, effective agendas. However, we can no longer sit back and be bystanders in this societal shift. We must become agents of change.
Agents of Change
Educators make ideal candidates to be agents of change. Teachers are not able to control the experiences their students face in their home environments, but the classroom is a different story. It’s easy to fall into a routine of teaching the same lesson without alteration over and over from year to year. Society is always evolving; hence, education should be doing the same. Agents of change are always a step ahead of what learners require and desire for motivation, success, and growth. This is an important consideration in all learning environments. Constant reflection and redirection are two key components of staying ahead of the changing times. We must contemplate movement and technology’s purposes in education. If you are committed to this new direction, celebrate your determined nature as you provide an innovative perspective for creating this balance in your classroom. Search for opportunities to help students grow as people, not only as learners.
Since you are reading this book, chances are that you are already an agent of change. It goes without saying that many of us find transformations difficult, especially in circumstances where we have been doing the same or similar things consistently for an extended period of time. This is the case for countless educators and leaders in our learning environments. The more our comfort builds, the more complacent we tend to become. There is nothing wrong with feeling a little uneasy about change; however, the way you handle those feelings defines who you are as an educator. Embrace change, whether it be increasing movement or decreasing technology (or maybe even the opposite, when you believe it’s in the best interest of your students). Turn your feelings of fear into thoughts of challenge and excitement! When we tackle challenges and move at a pace that is right for us, we gain insight and energy to advance forward. There is something exhilarating about being an agent of change, especially when research and common sense are behind your actions.
What Does This Mean to Me?
K–12 Teachers
1 Consider your students’ experiences with the decline of movement and increase in technology in their lives. Define your role in this shift.
2 Reflect on your recent lesson plans. Take note of the amount of both movement and technology in each lesson.
Administration
1 Engage in thoughtful dialogue with your faculty about the decline of movement and the rise of technology in schools. Define the school’s role in this shift.
2 Consider what a typical classroom environment looks like in your school. Take note of what you see students doing to engage with the lesson.
Educational Leaders/Affiliates
1 Reflect on the decline of movement and the rise of technology on society as a whole. Define education’s active role as we look toward our future.
2 Review current core curriculum standards and the roles that movement and technology play within them. Take note of the balance (or lack thereof) between the two.
Chapter Summary
A blended teaching and learning approach regarding movement and technology optimizes student learning and success, promotes a classroom environment that meets content standards effectively, increases standardized test scores, and enriches the learning process while preparing students for future challenges.
Human beings are historically considered to have been a society of movers. Today’s younger generation is sedentary and unmotivated to move. This decrease in movement and active lifestyles is concerning for the health and well-being of our youth.
The decline of movement (>) represents the cultural shift from movement being a necessary requirement to sustain our very existence to something considered a chore in our modern, sedentary world.
The digital age introduced innovative and engaging technological advances that changed the face of our society, economy, and educational practices.
The rise of technology (<) represents the impact that the digital age has left on society. Today, our devices frequently serve as a distraction in all aspects of our modern life (communication, education, physical activity levels, etc.).
Today’s students are engaged in a highly digital and sedentary classroom that mimics this societal shift. These choices have a negative impact on the health and fitness levels of our youngsters.
Education and self-management on healthy digital usage needs to be a top priority in classrooms. Educators make ideal agents of change by restoring the balance of movement and technology that their students face in the classroom!
2 The Power of Movement
WANTing Past Values Back
Movement Matters
The Brain–Body Connection
The Supportive Research
Common Sense: As Strong as the Research
WANTing Past Values Back
Wellness: The Downward Dive
What is happening to the overall wellness of our society? If you were asked to predict statistics regarding obesity, nutrition, physical inactivity, and causes of death or illness, what would you say? The reality is that our civilization has taken a downward dive when it comes to our overall public health and