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. 2024 Dec;94(12):1119-1128.
doi: 10.1111/josh.13509. Epub 2024 Nov 6.

Primary School Pupils' Perceptions and Experiences of Wearable Technologies

Georgina K Wort  1 , Gareth Wiltshire  2 , Simon Sebire  3 , Oliver Peacock  4 , Dylan Thompson  4
Affiliations

Primary School Pupils' Perceptions and Experiences of Wearable Technologies

Georgina K Wort et al. J Sch Health. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Wearable technologies offer new opportunities to address in-school physical inactivity. However, children are often excluded from discussing issues which directly impact them, including the use of wearable technologies in a school setting. Thus, the aim of this study is to understand primary school pupils' experiences and perceptions of using wearable physical activity monitoring technologies within schools.

Methods: Nine semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 41 Year 5 and 6 pupils (19 girls, 22 boys) from 5 primary schools in the South West of England. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using a reflective thematic approach.

Results: Pupils made valuable contributions to discussions around wearable technologies, considering both advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, when discussing use in schools, pupils were mindful that while they wanted to see their own activity and saw benefit in teachers knowing their activity, they felt comparisons in classes could lead to negative emotions for some pupils.

Conclusion: The findings from this study can contribute to a more detailed understanding of pupils' perspectives, which can help inform school-based interventions which aim to address physical inactivity and associated inequalities. Instead of using wearable devices for individual pupil ownership, schools should access data-insights with the intention of changing school practices.

Keywords: children; physical activity; schools; wearable technology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphs Shown to Pupils' During Focus Groups, the Data Populating the Graphs Was Obtained From Physical Activity Wearable Technologies Used in Primary Schools
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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