Summer Outdoor & Alternative Environment Physical Education

Curriculum guideline

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Course
SPSC 1318
Discontinued
No
Course code
SPSC 1318
Descriptive
Summer Outdoor & Alternative Environment Physical Education
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201910
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
25
Contact hours
4
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Field Experience
Learning activities
  • Lecture
  • Discussion groups
  • Practical applications and experiences
  • Field observation
  • Technology assisted learning
Course description
In this applied course, students participate in, plan and implement a variety of aquatic and land activities appropriate for elementary and high school students during late spring, summer, and early fall. Topics include risk assessment and management, organizational factors, environmental ethics, outdoor aquatic and land based activities, classroom-based activities and the development and use of different pedagogical strategies. An overnight trip is planned for this class.
Course content
  1. Outdoor and alternative environment settings
    • aquatic settings
    • land-based settings
    • seasonal considerations
    • school-based alternatives
  2. Risk management
  3. Lesson and unit planning for outdoor and alternative environment settings
    • safety considerations
    • transportation planning
    • learning outcomes
    • equipment needs
    • planned activities
    • assessment and evaluation strategies
  4. Practical topic selection will depend on instructor experience, student experience, and availability of resources. The following is a partial list of possible alternative environment activities wherein students will participate as teachers and students with aim of implementing the knowledge and skills of effective outdoor education in a safe and exciting context.
    • Land-based examples
      • hiking
      • backpacking
      • rock climbing
      • camping
      • orienteering
      • outdoor cycling
      • high/low ropes course
      • horseback riding
      • caving
      • martial arts
      • yoga
    • Water-based examples
      • windsurfing
      • rowing
      • kayaking
      • sailing
      • waterskiing
    • Aquatic examples
      • water adjustment
      • survival techniques
      • stroke development
      • skills application
      • snorkeling
      • synchronized swimming
      • underwater games
  5. Instructional Strategies
    • alternative teaching approaches
    • class management strategies
    • developmentally appropriate technical progressions
    • principles of effective instruction seasonal planning
Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Design an outdoor activity lesson including the following components:
    • risk management and safety considerations
    • learning outcomes
    • equipment needs
    • planned activities
    • assessment and evaluation considerations.
  2. Analyze an outdoor or alternative environment plan/organization with regard to:
    • risk management and safety considerations
    • learning outcomes
    • equipment needs
    • planned activities
    • assessment and evaluation options.
  3. Demonstrate satisfactory supervisory skills during outdoor and alternative environment activities
  4. Identify a number of relevant outdoor and alternative environment locations and organizational resources available for the relevant age group of teacher’s students.
  5. Basic personal movement competence in the chosen activities
  6. Identify through an “ethics of care” appropriate environmental concerns and demonstrate low environmental impact strategies.
Means of assessment

The following four areas represent the learning outcome categories of the course. Each area will be assessed in a way that allows the learning outcomes to be demonstrated by the student.

  1. Professionalism and Personal Movement Competence (up to 25%)
    • observation, demonstration, preparatory and in-class work.
  2. Activity  Knowledge (up to 30%)
    • quizzes, midterm and final exam, report, or presentation.
  3. Risk Management and Planning ability (up to 30%)
    • quizzes, midterm and final exam, report, or presentation.
  4. Instructional Knowledge and Skill (up to 30%)
    • creation of lesson plan, activity outline, demonstration of instructional skills.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Supplementary materials (i.e., article readings) when required

Depending on the activity involved students may incur a cost associated with transportation and/or equipment requirements for the course