The project was about the development, implementation and evaluation of psychomotor learning and teaching methods in primary school and New Secondary School in Vienna. During the project period, psychological tests were conducted to evaluate the cognitive and psychosocial development of the students.

The project asked for active involvement and participation of pupils, teachers and parents. In classes guided by experts, the children and adolescents jointly develop topics of interest, which were subsequently addressed in games and exercises. Teachers can continuously adapt to the needs of the children by supervising them mindfully and talking to them empathetically. In the New Secondary Schools, social competence and the development of a sense of community in class were major topics. These aspects should help to increase the self-esteem and health of the pupils and create an experience of tolerance, acceptance and social recognition. In games that included bickering and tussling, students could practice the development of and adherence to rules. By reflecting on experiences, the children became aware that the exercises helped to strengthen trust in each other.

In primary school, the cooperation revealed a wish for more outdoor activities. Additionally, interdisciplinary work should be done to foster the interconnectedness of various competences, e.g. planning of buildings and subsequent implementation in a natural environment or wrapping up the experiences by writing stories and painting.

Parents were involved in the project through parents' evenings. The teacher of the primary school class reported that parents got a visibly better understanding of her active teaching methods. Furthermore, they showed more confidence in their children’s personal responsibility.

The aim is to apply psychomotor teaching and learning methods in the long term, which should have a positive effect on the pupils' personal development. We also aim for an increased enjoyment in school and, consequently, a positive effect on academic success is expected.

Duration

1 September 2014 - 31 December 2018

Funding

The project is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy.

Links

https://www.sparklingscience.at/de/projects/show.html?--typo3_neos_nodetypes-page[id]=607