BMC-EU DigPro – Basic Motor Competencies in Europe – Digital promotion

The overarching aim of the project is to promote the basic motor competencies (BMC) of primary school children by the means of a digital tool based on an existing theoretical framework to be adapted for digital use. In this context, BMC constitute the essential requirements for taking part in the culture of human movement and developing a physically active lifestyle. To achieve the testing and supporting the development of BMC, the MOBAK (Motorische Basiskompetenzen, German for BMC) tests and support framework has proven to be a valid instrument (Herrmann, et al., 2015; Scheuer & Heck, 2020). In the frame of a previous Erasmus+ project, Basis Motor Competences in Europe – Assessment and Promotion (BMC-EU; 590777-EPP-1-2017-1-DE-SPO-SCP), a toolkit for the promotion of BMC has been developed. This follow-up project shall ensure its use in a digital way, generally during face-to-face physical education (PE) lessons at school, but also in times when social distancing and therefore online teaching are required. As some partner countries are stuck by the implementation of PE classes due to covid-19-measures, the digitalization will support the continuation of PE teaching. The experience which the project partners have collected until now with the MOBAK instrument and its dissemination will contribute to the delivery of the best possible digital product. This appears even more important when online teaching is required and parents require support in their role as “educators at home”. In this frame, the project results can also be used as part of an active homework, possibly requiring support by students’ parents. Objectives – to revise and adapt the existing MOBAK testing and support concept for the use in a digital format – to develop guidance material for teacher educators for the implementation of the MOBAK App in initial, induction and in-service teacher education – to make available the developed outcomes for any interested stakeholders, including teachers, teacher educators and parents Number and profile of participants The consortium consists of the main partners University of Luxembourg (project coordinator), University of Potsdam, PH Zürich, Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Trnava, PH Salzburg, Hanzehogheschool Groningen, and the European Physical Education Association (EUPEA). The project partners will be represented in total by 18 teacher educators and/or researches. They all have a strong confirmed expertise in primary physical education. Furthermore, 20 associated partners are going to contribute to the project. Description of activities Through this strategic partnership, the consortium proposes to develop a digital MOBAK Application for the promotion of basic motor competencies of children. During the project lifetime, f4 transnational meetings, one learning, training and teaching activity and 15 multiplier events will be organized, in order to develop and disseminate 7 intellectual outputs. A short description of the results A digital MOBAK application will be developed, based on a theoretical and methodological framework including a pedagogical strategy. The implementation of the App will be facilitated through guidance material and a teacher training toolkit. In addition, several intangible results are expected for the different group of project participants, e.g. knowledge and experience in teaching primary PE in a digital way. Impact envisaged The development of a digital MOBAK App will be beneficial to physical education teachers. Furthermore, the materials will be implemented in existing teacher education programmes of the HEI partners in the project. Longer term benefits In long term, it is expected that a large pool of teachers will benefit from these resources, thus raising the quality of primary PE in Europe. Most importantly, the basic motor competencies of children will be promoted