ActionTrack platform has now been in use for some months by several schools in Finland. We have received excellent feedback from both teachers and pupils. In addition, we have also seen many public ActionTrack videos uploaded by the schools, for example one by Åshöjden Swedish elementary school in Helsinki, about “Helsinki Race” adventure for their German visitors.
With ActionTrack schools may easily mix different subjects to one learning experience. “My day as a rabbit” is a typical example of activities which allow elementary level pupils to learn about one main topic, in this case rabbits, but which includes additional subjects via gamification. Another good ActionTrack activity example is ”Monster math”, which mixes simple multiplication tasks with monsters that require pupils to run for safety every now and then. These readymade activity templates are available for schools in English and Finnish.
Typically teachers create lessons, exams or various experiences themselves with ActionTrack admin tool. There is also more and more thirdparty content becoming available from TAZ partners. “As a whole, ActionTrack is a platform with very good quality. It can improve learning and even decrease the workload of the teacher.” Ville Teittinen, Käpylä elementary school, teacher.
Poikkilaakso elementary school students in Helsinki have got familiar with the surrounding nature with ActionTrack, combining biology and geography subjects. They have also uploaded some videos about their experiences, and one can see pretty happy and enthusiastic faces, as well as very fast running pupils out there.
Tampere schools have started with historical activities targeted for a bit older student. ”History will really come to life for pupils when we experience it with ActionTrack.” Ilpo Rantanen, history teacher, Juhannuskylä school. One can for example study the Civil war in Finland, 1918.
University of Turku (UTU) is taking the use of ActionTrack one step further. They are carrying out scientific research with the platform and producing several academic publications. University of Turku is also introducing ActionTrack as a new and innovative learning environment to their global network, and acting as a TAZ partner in the export of Finnish knowhow and innovations in the domain of education. ”ActionTrack is a great tool in preventing sedentary lifestyle nowadays.
It is easy and fun way to walk in nature and with all it’s interesting tasks and little plays you will move without noticing. Physical education wise it’s excellent that pupils get their bottoms up in other subjects as well. :)” Laura Ylikylä, University of Turku, Faculty of Education, Department of Teacher Education.
TAZ will later this year announce several new cities and schools starting to use ActionTrack in 2014. These include for example Otava Folk High School (Otavan Opisto), South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences Ltd. (Xamk) and Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences. The schools joining TAZ family range from elementary level to adult education.