A research project at Chile Adventist University (Universidad Adventista de Chile, UNACH) seeks to incorporate mobile phone technology into Physical Education classes to assess skills such as walking, running, jumping, and balance. The MotorPrint project uses motion sensors already in mobile phones to generate data that complements teacher evaluations and helps students better understand their own performance.

Evaluating students' motor development objectively and formatively is one of the challenges of physical education classes. Although teacher observation is essential, the process requires time and experience and does not always enable precise identification of all aspects of movement quality.

The Motorprint project aims to fill that gap by creating a downloadable application that uses mobile phone sensors to record data to supplement teacher evaluations.

The research project is led by Nicolás Gómez-Álvarez, a researcher at the Regional Center for Advanced Studies in Active and Healthy Lifestyles as well as the Physical Activity, Health, and Education (AFSYE) Research Group affiliated with UNACH's Physical Education program. This initiative is supported and funded by the Research Directorate of UNACH.

From mobile phones to motor assessment

During physical education activities, students perform routine exercises, such as walking, running, jumping, or balancing, while carrying a mobile phone located in a safe area of ​​the body.

The device's internal sensors record data related to acceleration and movement. This information is then processed using models developed by the research team, which provide data on aspects such as stability, coordination, and movement efficiency.

MotorPrint aims to make these results understandable and usable within educational contexts. The technology is not intended to replace the teacher's assessment but to provide quantitative information that complements their analysis.

Students participate in the evaluation

MotorPrint seeks to promote self-assessment and peer assessment, allowing students to understand their own motor skills and reflect on their learning process.

Currently, the project is in a development and validation stage. The results obtained using mobile devices are being compared with traditional motor tests used in schools to verify the reliability and relevance of the information.

An opportunity to identify difficulties

Motor skills play an important role during child development. A high level of motor competence is linked to greater participation in physical activities and can encourage the adoption of active lifestyles.

When difficulties in this area are not identified in a timely manner, they can affect students' participation in classes, motivation, and relationship with physical activity.

MotorPrint researchers say the project's expected contributions will facilitate early identification of potential difficulties through an accessible, low-cost tool. Since it does not require specialized equipment or complex infrastructure, the proposal could be adapted to different school contexts.

Technology at the service of the educational community

The potential benefits of MotorPrint extend to students, teachers, and educational institutions. For physical education teachers, having objective information about motor performance may support activity planning, pedagogical decision-making, and formative assessment.

For students, MotorPrint may help them become more familiar with their bodies and understand their own movement. This process can foster reflection and autonomy, especially in educational settings that aim to address the diversity of learning paces and abilities.

The research project also strengthens the link between UNACH and schools in the region by promoting the application of scientific and technological knowledge to concrete educational needs.

Expansion possibilities

Although MotorPrint is still under development and validation, its researchers envision several possible applications. These include implementation in more educational institutions, integration into physical activity promotion programs, and use as a foundation for new research in education, health, and movement science.

The project also proposes a way to integrate technology into teaching processes. By leveraging tools that are already part of everyday life, the project aims to contribute to a more accessible and participatory assessment of motor development.

The original article was published on the Chile Adventist University news site.