Alternative Environment Physical Education

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
SPSC 5396
Descriptive
Alternative Environment Physical Education
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
201810
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
2 weeks
Max Class Size
25
Contact Hours
Classroom: 12 hours Practical/Lab: 18 hours
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lab
Seminar
Learning Activities
  • Lecture
  • Discussion groups
  • Practical application
  • Field observation and/or video observation
Course Description
In this innovative and practical course students will participate in, plan, and implement a variety of alternative environment land and aquatic based activities appropriate to elementary school children. Content areas include: risk management issues, organizational factors, orienteering, aquatic activities, and classroom-based activities.
Course Content
  1. Outdoor and alternative environment settings
    • aquatic settings
    • land-based Settings
      • natural
      • park
      • urban
    • seasonal considerations
    • school-based alternatives
      • indoor
      • outdoor
  2. Risk management
    • risk analysis
    • standard of care
    • supervision
    • risk transfer/waivers
    • volunteers
  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
      • hiking
      • backpacking
      • rock climbing
      • camping
      • orienteering
      • skateboarding
      • rollerblading
      • cycling
      • snowshoeing
      • skiing
      • horseback riding
    • Water-based
      • canoeing
      • rowing
      • kayaking
      • sailing
      • windsurfing
      • waterskiing
      • rafting
    • Aquatic
      • water adjustment
      • survival techniques
      • stroke development
      • skills application
      • snorkeling
      • water games
      • diving
      • synchronized swimming
      • underwater games
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 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.
Means of Assessment

The selection of evaluation tools for this course is based on:

  1. Adherence to college evaluation policy regarding number and weighing of evaluations, for example a course of three credits or more should have at least three separate evaluations.
  2. A developmental approach to evaluation that is sequenced and progressive.
  3. Evaluation is used as a teaching tool for both students and instructors.
  4. Commitment to student participation in evaluation through such processes as self and peer evaluation, and program/ instructor evaluation.

The following is presented as an example assessment format for this course:

Practice teaching – mini lesson(s) 30%
Outdoor and aquatic teaching resource binder 30%
Risk management quiz 20%
Preparation and participation 20%

 

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor's Course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.

Which Prerequisite