ERIC Number: EJ1456977
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jan
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0007-1013
EISSN: EISSN-1467-8535
Integrating a Movement-Based Learning Platform as Core Curriculum Tool in Kindergarten Classrooms
Valeria Aloizou; Stavey Linardatou; Michael Boloudakis; Symeon Retalis
British Journal of Educational Technology, v56 n1 p339-365 2025
Incorporating immersive technologies in education has become increasingly popular due to their ability to facilitate active learning and engage students in the acquisition of concepts and skills. One form of immersive technology includes educational games that incorporate movement interaction, allowing children to engage with in-game elements by either immersing their own image within the game environment or by controlling an avatar using their hand and body gestures. Nonetheless, successfully incorporating these technologies into classrooms with sizable student populations presents a challenge, necessitating the implementation of a well-considered design approach. This paper introduces a systematic learning design approach facilitating the integration of a movement-based learning platform as a core curriculum tool in multimodal learning stations within authentic Kindergarten classroom settings. The design approach was evaluated in a case study involving three kindergarten teachers and 49 students conducted over a full school year. Progress data were gathered utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation tools. Analysis of the data suggests that integrating multimodal learning activities led to improvements in overall academic performance, particularly in critical mathematical skills compared to pre-test scores. Teachers expressed a positive attitude towards the integration of movement-based games using the learning design approach, finding it to be beneficial and effective for student learning. The study emphasizes the importance of purposeful design in creating immersive learning experiences and underscores the significance of utilizing multiple representations to enhance student motivation and engagement. The proposed systematic learning design approach has the potential to be applied to a broad range of grade levels, academic subjects and educational contexts to facilitate the integration of immersive technologies.
Descriptors: Kindergarten, Core Curriculum, Classroom Environment, Movement Education, Mathematical Concepts, Authentic Learning, Young Children, Preschool Teachers, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Technology Uses in Education, Learning Activities, Learner Engagement, Educational Games, Technology Integration, Educational Technology, Mathematics Instruction, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Learning Trajectories, Private Schools
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A