Assignment Question – Reflecting on your
emerging values as a neophyte practitioner, how would you seek to support young
people’s physical literacy journeys through PE?
Your response should
consider:
1) The development of an inclusive, value-based
curriculum.
2) The pedagogies utilised to enhance learning and
engagement.
3) The outcomes that define success and how achievement
is assessed.
Your assignment can be
written in the first person and should reveal your ambition for physical
education based on theoretical knowledge and your applied experiences. Your
assignment should demonstrate critical thinking and be informed by independent
reading and research.
This essay must be UK based and relevant to The National
Curriculum for PE
Essay Outline: Supporting Young People’s Physical Literacy Journeys Through PE
Introduction
Define physical literacy and its importance in education.
State personal teaching philosophy and commitment to inclusive education.
Preview main points: curriculum development, effective pedagogies, and assessment of outcomes.
Body Paragraph 1: Development of an Inclusive, Value-Based Curriculum
Explain the concept of an inclusive curriculum in PE.
Discuss how to integrate values such as equity, respect, and empowerment into the PE curriculum.
Mention specific strategies to tailor PE programs to diverse learning needs and abilities.
Body Paragraph 2: Pedagogies Utilized to Enhance Learning and Engagement
Describe pedagogical approaches suitable for PE to foster engagement and learning.
Explore the use of technology, collaborative learning, and experiential learning in PE settings.
My personal experience –
During a challenging ten-month tenure as a full-time agency supply teacher in a secondary school located in a deprived area of Wales, I was entrusted with the responsibility of independently planning and leading physical education sessions for both GCSE groups and groups facing significant challenges. This role not only demanded adaptability and innovation in teaching practices but also a deep understanding of the socio-economic factors affecting student engagement in physical activities. I particularly focused on children who struggled with engagement in lessons, employing strategies informed by motivational theories such as Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). By creating an autonomy-supportive environment that provided choices within activities, I nurtured intrinsic motivation among the students. Additionally, I leveraged peer mentoring and scaffolded learning experiences tailored to individual capabilities, which helped students to gradually undertake more challenging tasks, thus maintaining their interest and participation. I designed my lessons to be inclusive and resourceful, making use of local amenities and low-cost equipment to ensure that financial constraints did not hinder student participation. My sessions aimed to promote not just physical competence but also vital life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and leadership, thereby reinforcing the role of physical education as a pivotal element of students’ overall educational experience. This period was instrumental in shaping my pedagogical strategies and highlighted the critical importance of adaptability and empathy in teaching, especially in environments with limited resources.
Provide examples from research and my personal experience that demonstrate successful pedagogies.
Don’t just describe the theories like Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD); critically analyze their applicability and limitations in the context of physical education. Discuss situations where these theories may be less effective and propose how they can be adapted or supplemented with other pedagogical strategies to meet the diverse needs of students in deprived areas.
Support all claims with robust evidence from scholarly sources. However, go beyond mere citation; critically engage with this evidence. Assess the methodologies of significant studies, discuss their findings, and compare different perspectives to show a deep understanding of the subject.
Reflect on your own experiences, but also critically evaluate them. Discuss what worked well and why, and more importantly, what didn’t work and how you adapted your approach. This reflection should show your ability to learn from practical experiences and apply these learnings to improve your teaching strategies.
When discussing the outcomes of your teaching methods, critically assess how effective they have been in improving physical literacy. Use specific examples and data where possible. Consider the broader impacts of these outcomes on students’ academic, social, and emotional development.
Address the ethical implications of teaching practices in physically active disciplines. Critically examine how your methods respect and promote the physical and psychological safety of students, particularly in settings with limited resources.
Demonstrate originality in your approach to solving problems or overcoming challenges. First-class work often includes innovative solutions that show clear thinking and creativity.
Ensure that your discussion acknowledges the broader socio-economic, cultural, and political contexts that impact physical education in deprived areas. This shows an ability to think globally about the role of education in society.
: Structure your essay to build a coherent and persuasive argument. Each paragraph should logically lead to the next, with clear transitions and without any redundant information. This clarity and focus are key indicators of first-class work.
Body Paragraph 3: Outcomes That Define Success and How Achievement Is Assessed
Define what success looks like in the context of physical literacy. Refer back to personal experinece to support points.
Discuss various assessment methods (formative, summative, peer-assessment) and their applicability in PE.
Reflect on the role of feedback and reflection in assessing students’ progress in physical literacy.
Conclusion
Summarize the key points discussed in the essay.
Reinforce the importance of a thoughtful, inclusive approach to teaching PE.
Conclude with a reflection on the potential impact of such an approach on future generations.
AIMS
Thorough Understanding and Integration of Theory: Your essay should show a deep understanding of the theories behind physical literacy, inclusive education, and effective pedagogies. Reference foundational theories and current research to underpin your arguments, showing how these theories directly inform your practice and teaching philosophy.
Critical Analysis and Reflection: A first-class essay typically includes critical analysis and reflection. This means going beyond describing what you would do, and critically analyzing why these choices are effective, discussing potential challenges, and how you might overcome them. Reflect on your personal experiences and theoretical learning to provide insightful evaluations and propose well-considered solutions.
Innovative and Practical Solutions: Demonstrate original thinking by proposing innovative approaches to PE that are not only based on theory but are also practical and applicable in real-world teaching environments. Highlight any unique ideas or adaptations you would implement in your teaching practice.
High-Quality, Academic Writing: The quality of your writing must be excellent, with clear, concise, and well-structured arguments. Use appropriate academic language, and meticulously proofread your work to avoid grammatical or spelling errors.
Extensive and Appropriate Use of Sources: With a requirement of 55 scholarly articles and books, ensure that your sources are not only numerous but also highly relevant and current. Properly integrate these sources into your text to support your claims, and meticulously follow the specified citation style to demonstrate academic rigor.
Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure that you comprehensively cover all aspects of the essay prompt, including development of an inclusive curriculum, pedagogical strategies, and assessment of outcomes. Each section should be balanced and thoroughly developed.
Personal Voice and Ambition: Since the assignment allows for writing in the first person, use this opportunity to express your personal teaching philosophy and professional ambition clearly and persuasively. Your passion for the subject and your commitment to the field of physical education should be evident throughout the essay.
Effective Organization and Flow: Organize your essay logically and ensure a smooth flow of ideas from one section to the next. Each paragraph should seamlessly lead into the next, maintaining a cohesive narrative throughout the essay.
I have attacthed an example below.
