Remote teaching isn’t exactly conducive to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, what with teaching to a screen and not being allowed to walk around the classroom or school.
But a new craze has been sweeping across the teacher community on Twitter: an interactive app that can get you - and maybe even your class - moving, with somewhat hysterical results.
The app in question is called HomeCourt and it works by using your phone to create an interactive fitness game where you have to hit randomly appearing green circles with your hands for points. You can work up combos by hitting the circles fast to max out your high scores.
The app also has an educational component with a spelling game where you have to pick the right letter to make a word and a maths game where you have to pick the right answer to a sum - while keeping fit.
HomeCourt: The app helping to keep teachers fit in lockdown
The app is free to download but is currently only available to Apple iOS devices. However, the company does intend to bring it to Andorid devices at some point in the future.
Below are some teachers who have been brave enough to share their attempts on Twitter.
Yes yes yes #HomeCourt ... I got 150 when I first did this ... yesterday I hit a top score of 580 - how will today go? ENJOY and get the FREE APP from the APP store - @ParklandsLeeds getting fit pic.twitter.com/YblpjMibXZ
- Chris Dyson FCCT (@chrisdysonHT) January 22, 2021
??? Fitness Challenge ???
Here is my effort today! I challenge others to give this one a go! I’m still recovering! ??? @chrisdysonHT @DavisonMiss @DeanBarker06 @MrMJEllis @Alex_Bramley3 @Emma_Turner75 @teacherfeature2 @HWT_PE @k8KES8 Download the HomeCourt APP! ?? pic.twitter.com/9WnVdYlh0y
- Mr Withers ??♂️? ?? (@MrWithersAHT) January 22, 2021
Mr Shepherd, from Outwood Academy Adwick - showing off his skills below - said he had been using the app with some students to help keep them active: “The students who have been able to access it have really engaged with the activities and enjoyed the fact that staff have been involved, too.”
One for the footballers on the @HomeCourtai app!! Go onto the ‘HomeCourt Lab’ and look for ‘Football Juggling’ ⚽️? ...lets see if we can post some good scores @OutwoodAdwick1 ...219 to beat #ShepherdsSkillSchool pic.twitter.com/Sqcqf1M93e
- Mr Shepherd (@MrShepherdPE) January 26, 2021
Challenging one another to beat their high scores, teachers across the country are competing with while staying fit.
So 906 today on #HomeCourt @gsrodger @MrShepherdPE @MrWithersAHT ?
Come on @UnofficialOA where’s yours? pic.twitter.com/5yri3BSFxj
- Miss Kate S (@k8KES8) January 26, 2021
Oh my gosh I forgot how much fun #homecourt is! Thanks Twitter for reminding me! The challenge is set @BrookPebble, can you beat me?! pic.twitter.com/JiNkU5kipa
- Sally BL (@SallyPinkPants) January 20, 2021
Mr Kirkman, from St Thomas’ CE Primary Academy, even challenged his Year 3 class to beat his high score.
He went on to say: “It’s been a great tool to connect the children despite being at home, as well as healthy competition and exercise. They’ve really enjoyed doing it as a daily challenge!”
@NS_StThomas and I are doing a weekly #HomeCourt challenge because daily exercise is so important. Can you beat my score, Year 3? I need to lay down after that! ??♂️@StThomasBoston pic.twitter.com/yghxc8CV6X
- Mr K (@MrKirkTeach) January 22, 2021
Some teachers are even using the app as part of weekly or monthly fitness challenges, to break up the monotony of press-ups and running.
Well it’s time for today’s #DailyDyson and it’s a game you can all have a go at. Visit the APP store HOMECOURT (basketball) and the game is REACTION ... let’s get fit and smile during these dark days ... live from @ParklandsLeeds it’s #Day8 ... can I beat the 400 I got yesterday? pic.twitter.com/aVBEF00vD7
- Chris Dyson FCCT (@chrisdysonHT) January 21, 2021
Tweet us your high scores at @tes.
