Applied Studies in Physical and Health Education

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
SPSC 5495
Descriptive
Applied Studies in Physical and Health Education
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
30 weeks
Max Class Size
25
Contact Hours
Distributed learning 2 hrs. per week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Online
Learning Activities

Online

-          Discussion Groups

-          Lecture

-          Inquiry-based

Practical Applications

Field Observation

Course Description
In this course, Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education students follow a process of action research or conduct an inquiry into practice in their work settings. Through reflective practice, students integrate and evaluate acquired knowledge from the program. This course is conducted online with faculty supervision and peer learning group support.
Course Content

1. Scope of practice and research (curricular and extra-curricular)

1.1.   Physical activity

1.2.   Physical education

1.3.   Health education

1.4.   School movement and health culture

 

2. Reflective Professional Practice

2.1.   Reflection on practice

2.2.   Reflection on the other's research

2.3.   Reflection in action (reflexivity)

 

3. Professional Research Modes

3.1.   Inquiry into practice

3.2.   Action research

3.3.   Participatory action research

 

4. Preparing for Professional Research

4.1.   Ethical considerations

4.1.1. Informed consent

4.1.2. Power over

4.1.3. Right of removal

4.1.4. Third party contact

4.1.5. Low human impact

4.1.6. Professional codes of conduct

4.1.7. Record keeping and security

4.2.   Consulting the literature

4.2.1. Informing your practice

4.2.2. Informing your “action” and research

4.2.3. Situating your work in a community of practice/researchers

4.2.4. Technical aspects:

4.2.4.1.          Academic search engines

4.2.4.2.          Using seminal or richly threaded work

4.2.4.3.          Identifying gaps and opportunities

4.3.   Writing your plan

4.3.1. Visualize your future: Who, what, where, when, how

4.3.2. Academic writing standards

4.3.2.1.          Formatting and convention (American Psychological Association)

4.3.2.2.          Synthesizing others' work

4.3.2.3.          Academic vs. personal/reflective writing

4.4.   Methodologies

4.4.1. Methods of intervention (direct and indirect)

4.4.2. Methods of observation

4.4.2.1.          Tools – observations, video, measures, self and peer assessment

4.4.2.2.          Objectivity and bias in measurement collection

4.4.3. Triangulation

4.4.4. Participant voice/positioning considerations

 

5. Analyzing findings

5.1.   Entry level qualitative methods

5.1.1. Identifying units of meaning

5.1.2. Identifying and organizing themes and findings

5.2.   Descriptive quantitative measures

5.2.1. Presentation

5.2.2. Working within statistical limitations

 

6. Presenting research

6.1.   Summarizing findings

6.2.   Written report formats

6.3.   Poster format

6.4.   Use of video and imagery

6.5.   Identifying appropriate venues for dissemination and shaping messaging

6.5.1. Colleagues

6.5.2. Parents

6.5.3. Students

6.5.4. Conferences

6.5.5. Publication

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Outline a professionally-based action research process,
  2. Demonstrate compliance with ethical research standards,
  3. Design and implement a physical or health education action research project or inquiry,
  4. Demonstrate critical reflection on personal professional practice, and
  5. Demonstrate critical reflection on the outcomes of the research project.
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation may include the following:

Peer-teaching & group engagement  0-20%
Unit assignments  10-40%
Research/Inquiry Proposal  15-30%
Research/Inquiry Final  20-40%
Total 100%
Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials .

  1. A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor's Course Outline. Course outlines are available to students at the beginning of each semester.
  2. Students will require internet access to participate in this course.