Why Move and learn? Footgaming is FUN!

[FootGamer]

Our bodies are very much a part of all our learning and learning is not an isolated "brain" function. Every nerve and cell is a network contributing to our intelligence and our learning capability. Exercise triggers the release of BDNF a brain-derived neurotropic factor that enables one neuron to communicate with another. Students who sit for longer than twenty minutes experience a decrease in the flow of BDNF. FootGaming is one way students can trigger sharper learning skills. ExerLearning can save you time and FootGaming delivers ExerLearning without adding additional lesson plans or time burdens.
Crossing the midline integrates brain hemispheres to enable the brain to organize itself. When students perform cross lateral activities via use of FootPOWR peripherals, blood flow is increased in all parts of the brain making it more alert and energized for stronger, more cohesive learning. Fun- always a motivator, we can easily add student-incentive and fun to your learning environment.
Examples of how FootGaming via a FootPOWR peripheral connected to a classroom PC can increase both physical activity, fitness and academic success are as follows:
Bilateral movement; Opposition; Spatial Awareness; Movement in different levels; Proprioception; Jumping and Landing; Dynamic balance; Patterning; Spatial concepts These concepts aid the brain in placing words on a page, reading words from left to right, and writing patterns in sequence.
Coordination of the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic senses; Eye tracking for visual-motor control; Development of core muscles to strengthen neural pathways; Sequencing of complex motor skills; Patterning; Problem solving; Directionality. These concepts aid the brain in following the flow of words, sequencing patterns in math and reading, solving problems, and sorting information.
Vestibular Development: Development of inner ear to coordinate of the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic senses; Spatial Awareness; Body control; Dynamic balance; Locomotor skill development; These concepts aid the brain in putting numbers or letters in sequence, discriminating different sounds, placing letters and words in a page, and writing letters in proper proportion.
Tracking of a moving object; Eye-hand and eye-foot coordination; Development of visual fields; Cross lateralization; Patterning; Targets; Joint compression; Dynamic balance; Sequencing of patterns; These concepts aid the brain in processing thought, organizing thoughts in sequence, discriminating likenesses and differences, discriminating sounds, and advancing to higher level thinking.
Higher level of dynamic balance; Complex motor control; Practice and reinforcement of academic content while balancing and moving actively-whole body. Theses concepts aid the brain in anchoring information and improved memory retrieval, preparing the brain to take a test, and combining many skills for higher level thinking.

[Eli S.]

Judy Shasek, MS., spent nearly two decades teaching before developing the ExerLearning and FootGaming. She has pioneered interactive and ground-breaking fitness trainings since the early days of “aerobics.” Her mission has been to tie physical activity to the K-12 learning environment while harnessing the expertise and energy of the most challenged students to lead and manage the programs. Designing a synthesis of education and fitness that dramatically impacts youth fitness and academic success, she produced the popular, innovative program: Generation FIT ®. Brain research and technology caught up with that mission over the past three years. Shasek developed the patented FootPOWR peripheral in partnership with the brilliant Kevin Colburn of 3D Innovations. Shasek and Colburn’s goal is to provide “exergame” benefits to thousands of existing computer games, casual games, virtual worlds and educational software. Instead of thinking about problems in ouyr economy, with the oil prices that are high, take a little time to enjoy yourselves.