Physically Active Academic Lessons in General Upper Secondary School (PAAL)

Physically Active Academic Lessons in General Upper Secondary School is a four-year research consortium conducted in collaboration with Likes, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, and the Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Oulu. The project is funded by the Research Council of Finland, Scientific Council for Social Sciences and Humanities.

The consortium combines expertise in both teaching and physical activity research to study physically active academic lessons from both students’ and subject teachers’ perspectives. The collected experiences and the acute effects of physically active academic lessons on students’ cognitive prerequisites for learning and situational engagement are measured.

Based on empirical findings, the project provides evidence-based recommendations for physically active classroom practices for teachers and teacher education 1) to support the development of subject teachers’ competence, and 2) to enhance student learning and well-being in upper secondary schools.

Head of consortium: Principal Researcher Tuija Tammelin, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Likes

Subproject 1: Responsible researchers Professor Kati Mäkitalo and University Lecturer Susanna Takalo, University of Oulu, Faculty of Education and Psychology.

Subproject 2: Responsible researchers Principal Researcher Tuija Tammelin and Senior Researcher Heidi Syväoja, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Likes, School of Health and Social Studies.