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
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
Number of weeks vary depending on condensed format
Max Class Size
24
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Contact Hours

Seminar: 4 hours/semester

and

Field Experience: 40 hours/semester

and

Gym/Other: 16 hours/semester

Method(s) Of Instruction
Seminar
Field Experience
Other
Learning Activities
  • Experiential learning
  • Discussion Groups 
  • Practical applications and experiences
  • Field observation
  • Peer-led / Peer Teaching
  • Problem-based
  • Place-based

 

Course Description
In this applied course, experiential education is used to teach students how to incorporate K-12 curricular requirements into alternative learning environments during the summer and fall. Topics include risk assessment and management, organization and planning, environmental ethics, and pedagogical strategies for outdoor physical education environments. Participation in, and planning of, aquatic and land activities is a course requirement. Field trips will be required. These field trips may take place outside of scheduled class hours and include an overnight trip. This course acknowledges that Outdoor Experiential Education is congruent with First Nation Epistemology.
Course Content
Outdoor and Alternative Environment Settings 

  • aquatic and land-based settings 

  • seasonal considerations 

  • school-based alternatives 

 

Risk Management 

 

Physical Literacy and Dynamic System Considerations in Alternative Environments 

  • individual dimensions: affective, cognitive and psychomotor 

  • task and complexity structure 

  • environmental considerations 

 

Lesson and Unit Planning for Outdoor and Alternative Environment Settings 

  • safety considerations 

  • transportation planning 

  • learning outcomes 

  • equipment needs 

  • planned activities 

  • identify links to the BC Ministry of Education’s core competencies and other curricular areas 

  • assessment and evaluation strategies 

  • budgeting 

 

Practical topic selection will depend on instructor experience, student experience, and availability of resources. The following list is a sample of possible alternative environment activities  

  • land-based examples 

  • hiking 

  • backpacking 

  • rock climbing 

  • camping 

  • orienteering 

  • outdoor cycling 

  • high/low ropes course 

  • horseback riding 

  • caving 

  • water-based examples 

  • windsurfing 

  • rowing 

  • kayaking 

  • sailing 

  • waterskiing 

  • canoeing 

  • survival techniques 

  • snorkeling 

  • rafting 

 

Instructional Strategies 

  • alternative teaching approaches 

  • incorporation of cooperative, inquiry, personal and social responsibility models of instruction 

  • class management strategies 

  • developmentally appropriate technical progressions 

  • principles of effectively planning curriculum for classes according to seasonal activities 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • design and execute an outdoor alternative environment education lesson plan suitable for K-12 students with a complete risk management assessment;
  • provide summative and formative feedback on peers' outdoor and alternative environment education lesson plans;
  • safely supervise outdoor and alternative environment activities;
  • identify age-appropriate outdoor and alternative environment sites for K-12 students;
  • describe and apply Outdoor Experiential Education strategies and theory;
  • utilize the “ethics of care” approach to identify environmental concerns and demonstrate low environmental impact strategies;
  • identify the overlaps with First Nation Epistemology and Outdoor Experiential Education methodology and philosophy.
Means of Assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Professionalism  10% to 20%
Exams               10% to 30%
Presentations     15% to 25%
Activity proposal  20% to 40%
Total                  100%

Note: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled course activities in order to receive a final grade of C- or higher in the course. Students who do not attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled course activities will receive a UN grade.

Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Supplementary materials (i.e., article readings) or a coursepack for SPSC 1318 may be required. Depending on the activity involved, students may incur a cost associated with transportation and/or equipment requirements for the course.

Which Prerequisite

None