Class assignments for a college class in phys ed

I always enjoyed a good game of pickleball, but classic staples like kickball or dodgeball are fun too.

This is a good example of why this choice of major is a joke. Why are you even teaching this? I hope you're a TA or something, and if so, you should consult with the instructor.

Have them play tag.

At least 110 miles per week.

Can you be more specific why this major is a joke? I just finished a doctorate in exercise science and would like to be more informed by someone with as much knowledge as you why it was a waste...

I have taught a similar class, although ours was focused more on the education aspect. We had students do a day of job shadowing a professional in their field of interest, a historical brochure on a historical aspect of sport (German gymnastics systems, history of the YMCA, Jack Johnson/Jackie Robsinson, etc). We also had them write a paper on how they would improve the exercise program/facilities at our school (a small school with little $$).

I have taught a similar class, although ours was focused more on the education aspect. We had students do a day of job shadowing a professional in their field of interest, a historical brochure on a historical aspect of sport (German gymnastics systems, history of the YMCA, Jack Johnson/Jackie Robsinson, etc). We also had them write a paper on how they would improve the exercise program/facilities at our school (a small school with little $$).

Gah! Stupid computer...I need a new one...

Hmm, in defense of the earlier post, the first two assignments sound like an assignment my middle schooler would do. The last one sounds more legit for a college course. My knock on education courses in college is that they are not rigorous and are pretty atheoretical.

Thanks for some feedback. I am a research scientist teaching who is teaching a class for physical education majors due to lack of anybody else in the department to teach it. That is why I am asking because it is outside my realm but there are few others qualified to teach it. I am not really familiar with the PE world but just want to do a good job and know some people on this board have more experience.

Thanks for a few ideas so far - I like the redesigning the facilities idea. They have plenty of other classes to take beyond this one with exercise physiology, biomechanics, and also classroom teaching, observation, and experience, which is why it has been tough coming up with ideas for this that are not redundant.

Out_of_ideas wrote:

Thanks for some feedback. I am a research scientist teaching who is teaching a class for physical education majors due to lack of anybody else in the department to teach it. That is why I am asking because it is outside my realm but there are few others qualified to teach it. I am not really familiar with the PE world but just want to do a good job and know some people on this board have more experience.

Fair enough! It just seemed strange that a course is going to be starting and the instructor had no idea what is going to be done. I was hasty (and trolling) in calling the major a waste, and a doctorate in any field certainly is not a waste.

But what the hell? Why is the school offering a course that it can't staff ?

Observation time is worth it's weight in Gold

Along with that I would have your students observe in a variety of settings and levels. This is a good time to truly expose them to the profession. Have them observe a PE teacher who brings it everyday vs. someone who just rolls the balls out and reads the paper. Let them get a taste of what it's like to be in an inner city school where the kids will eat you alive to see if that's what they really want to do in life. Let them see what it's like to have a gym full of ADHD/SBH kids who have or fear no consequences in life and have no compunction against telling you so.

Don't worry about theory, let them experience real life and report back.

2 minutes in the closeout is a great icebreaker. raise the time increments as the semester matures.

I teach a similar class.

My syllbus outline is

I. Current issues

a. P.E. Nature and meaning

b. Obesity trends

c. FAD diet (I brake them into groups of 4-6 and

make them presents the diet to the class.

d. I also show the movie Super Size me over 3days

e. A great article is"The way we eat now" Google

It

f. Fatcalorie.com

II. Trends

a. issues and opporutiutes

b. trends and the future of PE. (INTERNET)

C. BODY IMAGE VIDEO

III. Philosphy and Ethics

a. Legal issues

b. Personal teaching philosphy (what, and why)

IV. History of P.E. and sport

V. Careers ( you can do a lot more than just teach)

a. I assign each studnet a profession to research

and present to the class ( pros-cons-salary-

education ect.... (athletic director, Personal

Trainer, sports information, college coach,

nurse, physicians assistant, YMCA, you get the

idea.

b. I also try to get 4 or 5 guest speakers: I have

had local P.E. and Health teachers, Athletic

Dir, Gym Owners, Personal Trainers, Athletic

trainers, Intramural director.

If you want more details or help leave your e-mail address.

A real PE teacher wrote:

Observation time is worth it's weight in Gold

Along with that I would have your students observe in a variety of settings and levels. This is a good time to truly expose them to the profession. Have them observe a PE teacher who brings it everyday vs. someone who just rolls the balls out and reads the paper. Let them get a taste of what it's like to be in an inner city school where the kids will eat you alive to see if that's what they really want to do in life. Let them see what it's like to have a gym full of ADHD/SBH kids who have or fear no consequences in life and have no compunction against telling you so.

Don't worry about theory, let them experience real life and report back.

hey! you stop right there. i'm not going to take you're insolence sitting down. so what if i just roll out the balls and sit back. and so what if i bring a newspaper to class. if it makes any difference, i use the newspaper to play with my balls. thats right. front page privacy. good day sir!

Thanks, this is along the lines of what I was thinking for the outline and also gives me some more ideas. I have a previous syllabus, but it seemed too focused on history (with whole units on midieval and early European history which seems like a bit detailed for a class that is supposed to be broad.)

I definitely will be having guest speakers from various professions coming in. I also like the idea of having students present some fad diets to the class.

For everybody that wondered why, it is because of a last minute professional leave of absence that somebody else cannot teach the class.