During an active school day, pupils are encouraged to move more during the school day. Ways of doing this include active learning, making break time more active, and encouraging children to walk or cycle to school.
Active learning not implemented structurally
Many teachers use active learning, but only 17 percent do so every day. These are mainly teachers in the lower grades. The majority of teachers (57%) need more preparation time.
Principals mainly support the use of active learning (81%) by purchasing materials. Very few principals (6%) make time available for preparation.
More frequent use of active learning is associated with better experiences for teachers
Teachers who use active learning daily or weekly experience disruption in the classroom during and after an activity less often than teachers who use it monthly or irregularly. They also find various aspects of preparation easier. And they are more likely to indicate that they have extensive knowledge of the application, effects, and implementation of active learning.
Questionnaire-based research among four groups of schools
For this research, the Mulier Institute administered questionnaires to principals and teachers from four groups of schools. From November 2022 through February 2023, 66 principals completed a questionnaire about various aspects of the active school day. In February and March 2023, 531 teachers completed a questionnaire about active learning.
Read the full findings in the factsheet ‘More movement during the school day’.