Assessment 1 - Podcast

In this podcast, the host explores the educational aspects of physical education (PE). They discuss how PE goes beyond sports and gym classes and is a vital component of a larger educational mosaic. They highlight the philosophies of John Dewey and Paulo Freire, which emphasize experiential learning and critical thinking. The host also explains the essential elements of truly educational activities, which include intentionality and the ability to implement positive change. They show how PE meets these criteria by providing intentional experiences and promoting fitness and personal growth. They argue that PE is not just a subject but a lifelong influence that encourages an active lifestyle. The host also discusses the gaps and challenges in PE and suggests promoting inclusivity and flexibility to enhance the learning experience. Overall, they conclude that truly educational PE involves intentional adventures, critical thinking, and a lifelong impact. Hello everyone, welcome back to the podcast where we uncover the stories behind the subjects. I'm Cameron Ross and today we're stepping into the intriguing world of physical education. But hold on, we're not just talking about sports and gym classes here, we're delving into the heart of a question that often goes unexplored, what's truly educational about PE? Now, let's take a moment to consider the complex nature and purpose of education before we start to peel back the layers. It resembles putting together an intricate puzzle. Philosophers and academics view education as a patchwork of experiences that go beyond conventional classroom settings. For example, John Dewey's Progressive Education is one prominent theory that has influenced our understanding and functions as a colourful puzzle piece in this educational mosaic. Dewey highlighted that education involves more than just learning, it's about taking an active journey just like finding the right place for a piece in a larger dynamic puzzle. Every physical activity in the context of PE becomes an essential component of the larger experiential learning picture. Now, let's add another puzzle piece to this educational mosaic, inspired by Paulo Freire's Critical Pedagogy. So this piece, as you will, challenges the standard edges of our educational puzzle by adding a new colour and shape. Freire's theories have a transformative effect, inspiring learners to challenge, examine and reinterpret the boundaries of a traditional education. PE stands out as a vital component as we piece together this educational puzzle, creating an alluring picture that enhances and matches the bigger educational mosaic. So let's now explore the philosophical foundations of education. So renowned education philosopher, Aures Peters, identified two essential elements that characterise an activity as truly educational. Intentionality is the first element, highlighting the deliberate and purposeful nature of the educational process. This intentionality is clearly obvious in the context of PE. Think of each aspect of a physical education class, from the carefully planned lessons to the well thought out activities. Every component is designed with the intention of imparting a wider range of experiences, values and skills in addition to the knowledge. Let's now turn our attention to the second element that Peter emphasised, which is the ability to successfully implement the intended change. Success in the field of physical education is determined not only by academic performance but also by observable personal changes in the participants. Consider the pupil who is not very fit, for example, when they first enter PE class. So a notable change occurs when deliberate exercise and individualised coaching are used, which is that increased fitness becomes a measurable result. The growth of collaboration abilities is also a clear indicator of the success. PE classes, which are frequently cooperative in nature, give students a chance to improve their interpersonal skills as well. This shows that success in physical education isn't just about the classroom, it extends into a lifelong love for staying active. Peter's elements mean that PE not only teaches knowledge and skills, but also sparks a lasting passion for an active lifestyle. In the dance of intentional teaching and lasting impact, physical education becomes more than just a subject, it becomes a lifelong influence. So we've talked about what makes education truly educational, and according to RS Peter's, it's being intentional and making a positive impact. Now let's see how these play out in physical education. So in PE, everything is planned with a purpose. Each lesson, every activity has a reason, not just to teach stuff, but to help us learn important skills and values. It's like a well thought out plan where every part has its role, working together to create a great learning experience for everyone involved. Now let's check that second part, making a positive change. So in PE it's not just about the grades, think of a student who wasn't super fit at first. Through exercise and coaching we see a real change, they get fitter. And this isn't just about school, PE can leave a lasting impact as we've just mentioned, helping us appreciate staying active throughout our lives. It's not just a subject, it's like a friend guiding us to stay active and healthy, isn't it? So now, let's connect the dots between the core ideas we've discussed and how they shape physical education. Remember John Dewey's idea of learning through experience and Paul Freire's call to question norms? Well, in the world of PE, these philosophies play a big role. Dewey's approach means every PE class is more than just a lesson, it's an experience. Each activity is like a small adventure, helping us learn by doing and enjoying movement. Now, if you think about Freire's call for critical thinking, in PE it's not just about following rules, it's about asking why those rules exist, understanding power dynamics and thinking critically while being active. So how does this connect to R.S. Peter's conditions that we previously mentioned? Well, the intentional planning we've talked about aligns with Dewey's ideas of purposeful experiences and that success, according to Freire, isn't just fitness improvement, it's about questioning and changing our perspectives. So in simple terms, PE becomes a mix of intentional adventures and critical thinking. It's not just about being fit, it's about actively participating in a lifelong journey of learning. So once more, let's consider PE to be a dynamic puzzle. The variety of experiences that students have is one piece of the puzzle that frequently sticks out. Because everyone has different interests, levels of fitness and teaching philosophies, PE feels different for everyone involved. PE can be made more equitable for everyone by promoting a more individualised and inclusive approach in order to close these gaps. Let's explore the whys of PE learning. What criteria are used to choose which skills to emphasise and why do particular activities receive more attention than others? History, curricular requirements or social expectations might contain this solution. To meet the needs and interests of a wide range of students, the PE curriculum can be enhanced by acknowledging and implementing a wider range of activities and abilities. The policies and procedures of PE are a possible source of gaps as well. Do these rules aim to meet the various needs of every student? While some rules ensure safety and fair play, there might be room for flexibility. I think a more comprehensive PE experience can be achieved by aiming for inclusive rule design and giving students those options of what they want to do. Exploring these gaps is not just about blaming anyone, it's about promoting understanding. Every learning journey faces challenges and by recognising these gaps we can strive for ongoing improvement. So what's the deal with PE? It's not just about running laps or lifting weights, it's intentional. Each move, each lesson has a purpose, more like a well thought out plan than just exercise. And remember, it's not just about being fit, again, PE is like a friend guiding us to stay active throughout our lives. It's not just a subject, it's a lifelong adventure of learning. So what actually is truly educational PE? It's the intentional adventures, the critical thinking and the lifelong impact. I'm Cameron Ross and that wraps up our exploration of PE. Keep moving, keep questioning and keep learning. Goodbye.