Director, Business Development The Walking Classroom, North Carolina
The Walking Classroom is an award-winning, screen-free, nonprofit educational program used in classrooms and out-of-school time programs. Students listen to kid-friendly educational podcasts while they walk. The podcasts are standards-aligned, come preloaded on special purpose audio devices (or via a mobile App) and are geared towards students in grades 3 - 8. Supplemental resources and activities for each podcast provide further enrichment resources. Research indicates there is a clear link between exercise and cognitive function and The Walking Classroom capitalizes on that link. Participants in this workshop will learn about the podcast content, how to implement the program in various settings, the supplemental resources that support the program, and how to apply for a donated class set. We will also discuss the research that has been conducted on The Walking Classroom program which affirms its effectiveness as a learning tool, a means of improving health literacy, and a way to improve student mood and engagement. Finally, attendees will have a chance to go for a walk while listening to a podcast!