Motion Matters: Beyond the Books - Introducing the Active Learning Movement in North Rhine-Westphalia Schools
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Advocating for Beyond Basic Skills Education: Emergence of a Novel Educational Initiative - Enhancing capabilities beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic: fresh incentives for improved mobility
Embracing a new era in education, North Rhine-Westphalia is elevating traditional learning by incorporating the "Movement" component, a revamped strategy under the federal and state-funded Startchancen program. This initiative, launched last year, is gaining traction in Düsseldorf, with Education Minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) advocating for its potential to boost social skills, teamwork, and learning motivation.
The upgraded program provides an array of customizable approaches: encouraging self-regulation and resilience while facilitating student participation in sports clubs. Ventures could involve students working together towards a shared athletic goal, like competing in a tournament or a fun run, learning to cycle or swim securely, or becoming actively involved in skate parks and street basketball.
These movement offers serve as enhanced companions to classroom teaching, seamlessly integrating into the school routine. schools interested in implementing these initiatives can find crucial connections through the state sports association's (LSB) website. once the appropriate provider is identified—backed by cooperation from the respective city or district sports association—funding applications can be submitted via the LSB funding portal, with applications accepted even during the current school year.
Setting a Higher Standard in North Rhine-Westphalia
The Startchancen program, a joint endeavor by the federal and state governments, bolsters roughly 4,000 schools nationwide in economically challenging areas starting from the 2024/25 school year. Approximately 900 schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, brimming with socio-economically disadvantaged students, benefit from this initiative.
Minister Feller emphasizes, "The core objective of the Startchancen program is to foster fundamental skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. However, we're embracing broader ambitions in North Rhine-Westphalia." For the "Movement" component, her department is earmarking up to 2.5 million euros annually for the state sports association.
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Active Learning
- Düsseldorf
- CDU
[1] Scientific studies show that incorporating physical activity systematically into everyday school life benefits students' physical, psychosocial and cognitive health, as well as enhancing learning outcomes. This approach targets not only physical education classes but extends to other subjects and extracurricular activities, fostering a culturally active school environment.
- In the Active Learning Movement initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Community policy focuses on setting aside funds for vocational training in sports, aiming to enhance the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive well-being of students.
- This education-and-self-development approach, driven by the CDU-led government in Düsseldorf, encourages vocational training in sports as part of the broader Active Learning strategy, providing opportunities for students in areas like skate parks, street basketball, and team sports.
