Postgraduate Module Descriptor


EFPM374: Current Issues in Physical Education (PE)

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

This module includes a critical consideration of current issues in PE. A range of views will be discussed from different perspectives and an interdisciplinary and interconnected approach will be followed throughout. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

 

1: Issues surrounding the role and educational value of PE in primary and secondary schools:

(a)   Opportunities and challenges surrounding the National Curriculum for PE.

(b)   Bridging the gap between physical activity/PE and academic attainment.

(c)   Making connections between PE and other subjects within the National Curriculum (e.g. Science & Modern Foreign Languages).

2. Issues surrounding the teaching and learning of PE in primary and secondary schools:

    (a) ‘It’s not the winning but taking part that counts isn’t it?’: Competition versus cooperation in PE.

    (b) The warm-up and cool-down phases of PE lessons: Are they becoming a ‘road less travelled?’

    (c) ‘Skills-based/teacher-centred’ versus ‘Activity-based/pupil-centred’ approach/model to teaching in PE:    

    Problems and prospects.

3. Issues surrounding learnersin PE in primary and secondary schools:

    (a) Should all pupils be included in PE lessons?

    (b) How do you challenge the gifted and talented learners?

    (c) How do you involve disengaged or reluctant learners?

4. Issues surrounding teachersof PE in primary and secondary schools:

(a)  ‘PE specialist teachers in primary schools’: The shape of things to come?

(b)   Innovative ways of developing pre-service and in-service teachers’ knowledge, skills and understandings of teaching and learning in PE.

    (c) Teachers as researchers

5. Future directions in PE in primary and secondary schools.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
21.5278.50

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2.5Suite of 5 online preparatory lectures of 30 minutes duration available through ELE
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities18Attendance at three days of taught seminars For distance learning students, these seminars will be available online with accompanying directed study tasks.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities1Individual supervision by academic tutor, face to face or online.
Guided independent study1Completion of a knowledge, skills and experiences audit.
Guided independent study21.5Completion of directed study tasks as indicated in the preparatory lectures
Guided Independent Study78Directed study: Preparatory work for taught sessions including set readings; research tasks; collaborative tasks; contribution to online discussions.
Guided Independent study78Completion of school based directed study tasks including keeping a record of activities with structured reflection.
Guided Independent study20Completion of formative assignment, including reading of relevant literature.
Guided Independent Study80Completion of summative assignment, including reading of relevant literature and completion of school based mentoring activities

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Exeter Learning Environment (ELE): http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

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