Customer Story - Taipei European School
Peter Poulton has worked at schools across Asia, including South Korea and Myanmar, and he joined the Taipei European School as Head of Physical Education in 2019.
A universal tool for a universal problem
Moki is expanding fast into different parts of the world, and it’s been fascinating to see how different physical activity patterns emerge in different countries.
Peter says it is well-established that many primary school children in the region do not get enough physical activity, so he is always looking at new ways to bring active learning to the curriculum. The school has bought two Moki class packs, and is rotating them every week across Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
“The key thing for us is simplicity. I didn’t need loads of complex features, I just needed a way to count the steps. All the software is already set up in the Moki app, so it was very easy to get up and running.”
"All the software is already set up in the Moki app, so it was very easy to get up and running.”
"I also love the fact that the bands are so robust, and because they are rubber, we don’t have to worry about damages or injuries! The children can leave them on all day."
A little friendly competition
Moki has helped to engage and motivate the children across the curriculum. In maths, for example, Moki graphs and charts have encouraged them to look at numbers in a different way, while PE lessons are now greeted with great enthusiasm as children vie to boost their individual step counts!
“We have made Moki a central part of our House competitions, and devised other little challenges to keep everyone interested. There are so many different ways you can measure the Moki data. We have awards for the top three boys and girls, as well as class and year group prizes which are presented at weekly assemblies."
"We have made Moki a central part of our House competitions"
"The kids have really got into the spirit of things, and we have been able to track their physical activity using real data for the first time.”
Changing a mindset
Peter says that schools in Asia typically approach PE slightly differently to the UK, so it has been challenging in the past to get teachers and families interested in active learning initiatives.
"Moki is a tool that gives them tangible data and achievable goals that motivate them to stay active."
“In Asia, there is definitely more of an emphasis on the academic side of learning, so, for me, Moki has been a way of changing the mindset and introducing physical activity in an accessible way. The great thing is, that once the children and their families are on board, they give it everything. There is a spirit and competitive edge that you don’t necessarily get in the UK and other parts of the world.”
“Most rewarding of all is that, often, the children are competing with themselves, more than any wider peer group. They set themselves targets, like trying to beat yesterday’s score.”
“Most children only have a vague understanding of the health benefits of physical activity, but Moki is a tool that gives them tangible data and achievable goals that motivate them to stay active. For me, as Head of PE, that is incredibly important.”
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