Mayo Clinic obesity researchers test 'classroom of t...( cacy organization) will raise awareness...),Health

"When I was approached I realized that this has to be the face of the future not only for education but also for the health of American children," said Jerry Williams, superintendent of Rochester Public Schools. "If the concepts are proven, Rochester will consider expanding such an experimental environment in one of our elementary schools."

Thirty fourth and fifth graders spent a week having all their school activity measured in their traditional classroom. This week (week of March 13th) they are moving to the "school of the future." They will be given several days to settle in. The children's activity will be monitored in the new school environment and educational testing will be performed. The Mayo team will collect data on their movements using specialized telemetry called Posture and Activity Detectors (PADs). Each child will wear a PAD on his or her leg. The PADs will measure the time spent standing and walking.

Dr. Levine developed the school's concepts during two decades of international research. They will be integrated into the children's learning experience. Some of the innovations include:

• Video-streamed "pod-casting" as a teaching aid
• "Learn 'n Move" bays -- a step beyond traditional learning stations
• Wireless technology
• Personalized laptop computers
• A novel earpiece that measures physical activity of the student
• Vertical magnetic work spaces that double as projection screens
• Innovative telemetry that collects data for scientific comparison
• Personalized white boards (instead of one large blackboard for a room)
• "Standing" desks -- where the children will stand and work, rather than sit

The most amazing advance, according to Dr. Levine, is giving children the chance to
'"/>


14-Mar-2006