Teachers' perspectives on using data from wearable technologies to inform school-based physical activity

Oral Presentation B4.6

Authors

  • Georgina Wort University of Bath
  • Gareth Wiltshire Loughborough University
  • Oliver Peacock University of Bath
  • Simon Sebire University of Bristol
  • Andy Daly-Smith University of Bradford; Center for Applied Education Research
  • Dylan Thompson University of Bath

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.510

Keywords:

Physical Activity, Children, Wearable Technology, Primary School, Teacher's Views

Abstract

Background: Many children are not engaging in sufficient physical activity, with vast between-children inequalities. Schools play a vital role in instilling long-term behaviours. As wearable technologies increase in popularity, data-drive decision making has the potential to inform and develop teachers' practices. Purpose: To study teachers' perspectives on the use of physical activity from wearable technologies, and whether the use of devices in schools would be feasible and acceptable to teachers. Methods: Secondary data from a commercial wearable technology company was analysed. The data came from 35 schools, 1234 pupils. Graphs were developed to illustrate children's in-school physical activity and used in semi-structured interviews with 26 UK-based primary school teachers, exploring their responses to data and opinions on wearable technologies within schools. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Results: Most teachers spoke positively about the use of wearable technologies specifically designed for school use, highlighting the potential benefits, as well as considerations. Teachers demonstrated comprehension of the graphs presented and provided explanations for the within-and-between school differences and inequalities in physical activity. Teachers’ responses to the data included those that were rationalising, emotional, and which suggested a change in intentionality. Conclusions: Device-measured physical activity data can be communicated effectively to teachers. Illustrations elicited strong responses from teachers and thus could be used to inform teachers' behaviours and school practices, with the aim to address in-school physical inactivity and inequalities. Funding: GKW is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Wort, G., Wiltshire, G., Peacock, O., Sebire, S., Daly-Smith, A., & Thompson, D. (2021). Teachers’ perspectives on using data from wearable technologies to inform school-based physical activity: Oral Presentation B4.6. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.510