Background & Purpose of the Class Implementation
At Xaverio Gakuen Elementary School, “experience” is valued as an integral part of everyday lessons. The school decided to adopt HADO to meet the wish of P.E. teacher Mr. Aoyama for:
“P.E. classes which the children can proactively enjoy while learning.”
Class Flow: From “Thinking P.E.” to “Collaborative P.E.”
The structure of the class was:
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Explanation of rules → 2. Practice → 3. Team matches → 4. Reflection.
During the class, students devised their own strategies to win, coordinated in teams to refine their tactics, and then challenged each other.
Voices heard during the class included:
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“How many shields do we have? Depending on that number, we want to change our strategy.”
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“Why is the teacher getting hit so much? Is it about movement? Is it about gaze direction?”
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“Huh, is it over already? I want to go again!”
Such remarks showed that students were actively questioning, thinking, and experimenting — making for a class that naturally drew out their self-motivated learning attitudes.
Students’ Response: Over 85% Rated It “Very Fun”
A post-class questionnaire revealed that more than 85% of the students gave a high rating and said they “want to experience it again.”
Comment from Mr. Aoyama:
“I had expected there might be more negative opinions, but the evaluation was better than I imagined. In the comment section, the word ‘fun’ was overwhelmingly common. I felt that if we refine the way the class is run, it could become even richer learning.”
Educators’ Impressions of Educational Impact
In the HADO-utilised class, a new form of P.E. emerged in which physical activity and thinking skills were nurtured simultaneously.
Comment from Mr. Aoyama:
“Depending on the ratio of students to equipment, we felt it was feasible. While waiting, each team formulated strategy, using ICT to think ‘How can we win?’ The strategy-planning involves significant thought, and at the same time we could secure physical exercise. Even the teachers were out of breath after playing three consecutive times. As a form of P.E. where you ‘move your body while thinking,’ I felt the potential to link learning and physical movement.”
Community Collaboration: A New Model of P.E. Created with the Region
This initiative was realised through cooperation between the school’s Parent-Teacher Association and the community. A HADO experience booth was set up at the school bazaar, and part of the participation fees were used to help cover the cost of introducing the equipment.
Comment from Mr. Aoyama:
“Honestly, introduction through only P.E. classes was financially challenging. But as an opportunity for many to experience HADO, the bazaar was ideal. Both students and parents actively participated in preparation and operation, and I believe it became a very good flow.”
Comment from the HADO Operations Office
HADO merges AR technology with “thinking power,” “collaborative power,” and the enjoyment of moving one’s body — creating a new form of P.E. We consider the type of class implemented at Xaverio Gakuen — one in which teachers lead proactively and students engage in inquiry-based participation — to represent one of the ideal forms of future education. It is also very impressive that despite limited budgets, the region and parents worked together to realise this. We believe this is a good example of how schools and communities can unite to create new learning even within constraints.
Because HADO can be extended beyond lessons into after-school activities and community events, it offers flexible expansion of learning spaces. By showcasing more cases going forward, we aim to spread this new form of P.E. that connects education and local communities.
About “HADO”
HADO is a new sport category called “Techno Sport,” which merges physical sport with digital technology. Participants wear a headset and arm sensors and compete using energy balls and shields. With simple rules yet high strategic depth, teams plan tactics and naturally develop thinking, collaboration, and judgment skills. Independent of athletic ability, anyone can challenge on the same playing field — and HADO is now active in more than 39 countries.
About Meleap Inc.
Meleap aims to realise a society in which “everyone moves their body with enjoyment, and attains both physical and mental health.” We develop and operate the AR activity HADO, utilising AR (augmented reality) technology to create “magical experiences,” delivering a fresh-sensation activity that everyone from children to adults can immerse in, regardless of age or athletic ability. We currently operate in more than 39 countries around the world. We continue to expand the possibilities of entertainment and sport, so that “the joy of moving one’s body,” “the joy of connecting with others,” and “excitement and thrill” can be experienced by all.
About Xaverio Gakuen Elementary School
Located in Kōriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture — approximately 50 minutes by train from Tokyo by shinkansen (bullet train) — Xaverio Gakuen Elementary is operated by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (headquartered in Canada). The Catholic-based educational institution celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023. On the same campus there are kindergarten, elementary, and junior high schools, and through inter-grade interaction students deepen various learning.
