Fitness boost for Rhydygors pupils with arrival of iPads

Schoolchildren are using the latest screen technology to get active.

Rhydygors School has just taken delivery of 12 top of the range iPads thanks to funding secured by Carmarthenshire County Council’s sport and leisure team.

The dozen tablets and docking station will offer pupils who don’t often have access to online technology at home a chance to keep fit and healthy through online applications programmes.

The ‘apps’ make available structured physical activities which will allow the eight to 16 year-olds to map their runs, see how far they can go and how many calories they’ve burned.
Pupils will also be able to log diet plans, choose their own workouts and interact with each other.

Rhydygors PE and ICT teacher Ryan James said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Ipads and to have such a facility available during our PE lessons and extracurricular activities. These tablets will enable the children to not only develop healthy lifestyles, but vital communication skills.”
The council’s sport and leisure team applied to Awards for All lottery funding after research showed that online services were effective in motivating and helping younger age groups to engage in a wide range of activities.

The council’s sport and leisure officer, Kate Williams said: “Programmes available through the Ipad will encourage structured physical activity whilst learning important IT life skills. Having these tablets will give pupils an opportunity to use technology they may not normally have the opportunity to use. It will also give them the knowledge to take part and control of their own exercise, bodies and ultimately their lives.”