PhD Studentship: The use of digital technologies by teachers/coaches and school-aged children in ph

Wearable technologies and health-related apps are increasingly being used to inform, promote and reward health and physical activity behaviors, with young people being increasingly targeted as consumers of these technologies (for example, the Leapband). This project will focus on the use of health-related digital technologies by teachers/coaches and young people (primary or secondary aged pupils). The broad aims will be to determine: a) how health-related digital technologies are currently impacting on young people’s perception of health, physical activity and/or the body and/or b), how digital technologies can be used effectively in schools to facilitate young people’s learning about health and wellbeing.  

Health-related digital technologies that this project might consider include:

• The broad range of commercially designed wearable devices (e.g. FitBits, Jawbones, Nike Fuel Band), some of which are targeted at children (e.g. Leapband);
• Health and fitness mobile apps (e.g. MyFitness Pal, 7-minute workout) where over 100,000 are available on iTunes and the Google Play store.  
• Education focussed apps for physical education/coaching (e.g. Dartfish easy tag, Coacheseye, Ubersense).  

The project will be primarily a qualitative study using a case study or action research design, but this project could encompass surveys/questionnaires to interpret the uses of digital technologies or the motivational impact of wearing/using digital technologies.

Funding Notes

For details of the funding available and advice on making your application, please contact dr@contacts.bham.ac.uk

I welcome applications from Home/EU and overseas students. The University of Birmingham offers a number of competitive scholarships for students of the highest calibre. Further details are available at : View Website.

Students are also welcome to apply with their own funding for this project, either through their own personal funds or by securing a scholarship.