Learning from leisure: Developing nature connectedness in outdoor education

The “greening” of outdoor education has received increasing attention from educators in Aotearoa-New Zealand and internationally. Given contemporary global concerns about the scale of environmental issues and the associated recognition that educating for sustainability is a matter of urgency, the continuing exploration of pedagogies promoting human connection to nature is arguably a central concern for outdoor educators. This paper contributes to professional dialogue about outdoor education pedagogies that may facilitate the development of students’ connectedness to, and care for, non-human nature. It draws from an interpretative research project that explored the meanings of nature-based leisure for eleven women aged 40 to 65 years. Findings from that research highlighted an important interplay between women’s conceptions of nature and their participation in leisure. The paper directs attention to three interconnected pedagogical principles that are teased from the women’s stories: repeated immersion in local nature environments, the decentring of traditional performance discourses, and critical reflection. These are presented as key considerations for outdoor education teachers and teacher educators in promoting nature connectedness and care. Recommendations are made for outdoor education researchers and teacher educators for future research directions

Adolescent Physical Education and Physical Activity in California

Based on 2007 California Health Interview Survey data, examines participation in physical education and other physical activity among adolescents ages 12 to 17 by gender and county, and implications for health outcomes. Makes policy recommendations

Physical activity levels in Portuguese high school physical education

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity (PA) levels of high school Portuguese students during physical education (PE) and investigate the association of PA levels with students’ goal orientation and intrinsic motivation. Forty-six students from three high schools participated. Heart rate telemetry and pedometry were used to assess PA and the Borg rate of perceived exertion scale was used to measure perceived exertion. Thirty PE lessons were monitored. The results indicated that high school PE lessons involve low levels of PA. Students engaged in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) only in about one-third (29.7 minutes) of the official PE scheduled time (90 minutes) and perceived exertion as light. In general, students seemed to be positively motivated toward PE and mainly task goal orientated. Boys felt more enjoyment/interest and perceived their competence in more positive ways than girls. The number of steps and the rate of perceived exertion were associated with levels of PA measured by heart rate telemetry. Intrinsic motivation and goal orientation were not related with MVPA

Report cards in physical education.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Physical Education Matters: A Full Report

Examines the quantity and quality of California's physical education programs, compliance with requirements, and resources. Summarizes research on the benefits of PE and effective strategies to improve PE programs. Outlines policy recommendations

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN DISABLE SCHOOL (SLB) AROUND CITY OF YOGYAKARTA INDONESIA

This study is aimed to find out the implementation of physical education in Disable School around City of Yogyakarta Indonesia. Specifically, the implementation of Physical Education according to the teacher's perception and the student's perception. This study was using survey method. Data collecting was using questionnaire technique. The population is the teach¬ers of Physical Education and the stu¬dents in Disable School (SLB) around City of Yogyakarta Indonesia such are SLB C Pembina, SLB A "Yaketunis" and SLB E "Pra Yuwana- . Sampling method is using Purposive sampling technique. The total of sample is 102 teachers and 81 students. The data analysis is using descriptive technique which is formed in narrative. The studying result is showing that physical education teacher in teaching of lesson matters has appropriate with curriculum which is referred from the Major of Teaching Program (GBPP). However, the implementation of physical education hasn't yet lead to the effort in improving of physical fitness. The lesson matters, methods and evaluation systems are still oriented in performance achievement for certain sport field. Keywords: Disable School (SIB), Physical Education

Physical education down under: Fusion or confusion

At the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance (ICHPER-SD) Conference held in Wellington in October 2006, the authors presented a keynote titled: Physical Education Down Under: Fusion or Confusion. This presentation was somewhat unusual as it took the form of a three act play. The story line was based around a final year teacher education student (Digger) who had a passion for physical education – doing it, studying it and wanting to teach it. In the first two scenes the story evolved around Digger planning for an in-class assessment – a 10 minute presentation on an issue relating to physical education and/or sport (in school). Digger was a dogmatic character who relished the opportunity to engage in arguments with his lecturers and fellow students about matters to do with physical edcuation. Although a ‘novice’ this helped him develop a good understanding about the purpose of physical education and its place in the school curriculum. The setting for the third scene was a lecture room at the university where the students were to give their presentations. To ensure the students took this task seriously, the Professor made it a competition. The prize for the student with the best presentation was a trip to the ICHPER-SD conference. Five minutes into the scene Digger was asked to step forward to deliever his presentation to the Professor and ‘Lady PENZ’. It was titled ‘Food for Thought’

The future for primary physical education

An in-depth examination of secondary research was undertaken together with a focussed case study to investigate whether current practices within primary physical education (PE) were best serving the learning needs of children in primary schools. A secondary purpose of this research was to examine the implications for this area of primary education regarding the professionalisation of sports coaching. The study was conducted within a unitary authority in the South West of England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, firstly with both Partnership Development Managers (PDMs), followed up by questionnaires carried out with all of their School Sport Co-ordinators (SSCo's). Subsequent semi-structured interviews were then conducted with a primary school head teacher, a head of primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE), and with the only specialist primary PE teacher found within this authority. These research processes extrapolated information which highlighted current practices in many primary schools with regards to their PE delivery, and the findings illustrated that whilst current PE provision in most secondary schools was generally believed to be of a high standard, embracing recent initiatives and the current National Curriculum, the delivery of PE in primary schools was found to be less consistent. After several processes of inductive research it was concluded that widespread changes in the whole primary PE provision, starting from Initial Teacher Education, ought to be considered