iLearn4Health – The Beginning

The Idea

How many things do we take for granted in our societies, especially after everyday life began running with light speed. And think not only of big things, but everyday essentials also; food, water, electricity, health. Health. A word which was tattooed on our brains, by hearing it literally thousands of times per day, during the last 3 years, after the pandemic turned our worlds upside down. Health on the news, health’s on the loose, health on peoples’ chat, cause health’s not coming back. And if the pandemic taught us something, or better reminded us, it is the preciousness of our wellbeing. Unfortunately, a healthy culture is difficult to build and maintain but really easy to collapse; especially when, as already mentioned, life runs like crazy. And that goes for adults. Now think of the same concept, applied on young children. Health and hygiene culture, strict protective measures, forced rules, combined with a period that takes away almost every physical activity the were part of. Talk about disaster.

The Beginning

Luckily, restless people are part of our world, and they are specifically activated when things start going wrong. Such people gathered the data, foresaw the problems to come, envisioned the solutions, and got down to business. The result was a complete plan which aims to deliver high-quality health education in primary schools via innovative digital tools and methodologies, while at the same time empowering teachers’ and educators’ skills and competencies. Its name: iLearn4Health.

The project focuses on covering the need for health education in primary schools, by implementing the Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) method, while at the same time training the teachers in the theoretical aspects of the concept, as well as the digital tools of the method.

The Results of the iLearn4Health Project

The project will create:

• Electronic Diagnostic Tool to diagnose the effectiveness of the DGBL method on children’s learning: An Electronic Diagnostic Tool that will identify the factors regarding the effectiveness of DGBL on students. The tool will be accessible online via all digital devices. At the end of the process an automatically generated report will offer insight, regarding the effectiveness of DGBL to students.

• Digital Educational Games for health promotion and health education in primary schools: Health education and promotion themed games as part of the DGBL platform. 6 (six) games will be created, suitable for children aged 6-12, with animations and graphics where needed. Each game will be based on a different thematic, according to the age group targeted: “Healthy dietary habits”, “Be Active-Train yourself”, “Accidents and Protection”, “Stereotypes and stigma in community”, “Internet addiction”, “Sexual health promotion and interpersonal relationships-The gender difference”. The games developed, will be fully accessible, downloadable, and playable via all devices.
• Online Training Program in Health Promotion and Health Education through DGBL: The Training Program will focus on teachers/head teachers in primary schools. Trainees will improve skills on health education and DGBL related subjects, such as what is public health, why is it important for children and how do we train them according to their age, and why and how to use DGBL during the learning process.

The Target Groups

The project is addressed to:

Primary

• Teachers and head teachers in primary schools
• Teachers responsible for health and safety in primary schools.

Secondary

• Children 6-12 years old and their parents
• Primary schools’ teachers’ networks and organizations
• Experts/professionals in DGBL
• Experts/professionals in children education
• Experts/professionals in public health & health education
• Training institutions
• Post-graduate students from educational sciences’ departments. 

Relevant Stakeholders

• Parenting networks and organizations
• Organizations promoting health education
• Organizations for children’s education
• Public and private educational and health authorities and stakeholders
• Universities with Departments of Educational Sciences & Departments of Medicine.

The Partners

1. University of Patras – Greece
2. p-consulting.gr -Greece
3. COMCY – Cyprus
4. Agia Napa Primary School – Antoni Tsokkou – Cyprus
5. FSLI – Romania
6. OIC Poland Foundation – Poland
7. Centro San Viator – Spain
8. Errotu – Spain

Stay tuned for more info and news!