Physical Education Theory Course

Lesson 1 • Learning Theories in PE Contexts

Applies behavioural, cognitive, and constructivist theories to motor skill acquisition. Links theory selection to instructional decision-making.

Lesson 2 • History and Philosophy of PE

Traces PE from ancient movement practices to modern curricula. Grounds subsequent theory in historical context and evolving educational values.

Lesson 3 • Defining Physical Literacy

Introduces physical literacy as the central goal of PE. Connects motivation, confidence, and competence into a unified learner outcome framework.

Lesson 4 • Human Movement Fundamentals

Covers basic biomechanical and anatomical concepts relevant to movement instruction. Provides vocabulary for analysing and cueing motor skills.

Lesson 1 • Sensitive Periods and Motor Learning

Explains windows of accelerated skill acquisition and their instructional implications. Guides timing of skill introduction for optimal development.

Lesson 2 • Tracking and Monitoring Development

Introduces tools for observing and recording motor development over time. Connects monitoring data to instructional adjustments and parent communication.

Lesson 3 • Fundamental Movement Skills

Identifies locomotor, stability, and object-control skills as building blocks. Mastery of these skills underpins all sport and fitness activities.

Lesson 4 • Developmental Stages Overview

Maps physical, cognitive, and social development milestones relevant to PE. Provides a framework for matching tasks to learner readiness.

Lesson 1 • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Responses

Covers acute heart rate, stroke volume, and ventilation responses to exercise. Grounds intensity monitoring and safe exertion guidelines for students.

Lesson 2 • Fitness Components and Testing

Defines health- and skill-related fitness components and valid testing protocols. Links fitness data to goal-setting and programme design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Musculoskeletal Adaptations to Physical Training

Describes how muscles, bones, and connective tissue adapt to repeated loading. Informs progressive overload design and injury prevention strategies.

Lesson 4 • Energy Systems and Metabolism

Explains ATP-PCr, glycolytic, and oxidative pathways and their activity relevance. Enables educators to match exercise intensity to energy system demands.

Lesson 1 • Differentiation in Curriculum Design

Embeds tiered tasks and flexible grouping into curriculum documents. Ensures all learners access meaningful content regardless of ability level.

Lesson 2 • Unit Plan Construction

Breaks curriculum goals into teachable units with clear objectives and timelines. Bridges broad curriculum design and daily lesson planning.

Lesson 3 • Scope and Sequence Development

Guides construction of a multi-year content map with logical skill progression. Prevents content gaps and redundancy across the programme.

Lesson 4 • Curriculum Models in PE

Surveys sport education, health-based, and movement models as design frameworks. Enables informed model selection based on school context and learner needs.

Lesson 1 • Lesson Planning and Structure

Establishes components of an effective PE lesson from warm-up to closure. Ensures time-on-task, safety, and alignment with unit objectives.

Lesson 2 • Questioning and Cognitive Engagement

Integrates higher-order questioning into PE to deepen tactical and conceptual understanding. Connects physical activity to critical thinking outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Teaching Styles Spectrum

Introduces Mosston's spectrum from command to self-teaching styles. Guides style selection based on learning objectives and student readiness.

Lesson 4 • Class Management and Organisation

Covers routines, transitions, and space management for large active groups. Maximises participation time and minimises behavioural disruptions.

Lesson 1 • Using Data to Improve Instruction

Applies assessment data cycles to refine teaching and curriculum decisions. Closes the loop between evidence collection and instructional adjustment.

Lesson 2 • Grading and Reporting in PE

Examines grading philosophies and equitable reporting practices for PE. Resolves tension between effort, improvement, and standards-based grading.

Lesson 3 • Psychomotor Assessment Tools

Introduces rubrics, checklists, and rating scales for evaluating movement quality. Builds consistency and objectivity in skill observation and scoring.

Lesson 4 • Cognitive and Affective Assessment

Addresses written tests, exit tickets, and attitude surveys for non-motor outcomes. Ensures full-domain assessment beyond skill performance.

Lesson 1 • Legal and Ethical Foundations of Inclusion

Reviews inclusion mandates and educator obligations under disability rights frameworks. Establishes the ethical imperative for equitable PE access.

Lesson 2 • Paralympic and Adapted Sport Programmes

Introduces adapted sport classifications and programme design for competitive contexts. Expands educator knowledge beyond classroom inclusion to sport pathways.

Lesson 3 • Collaborative Support in Inclusive PE

Defines roles of paraeducators, therapists, and specialists in PE settings. Builds collaborative practices that enhance inclusive lesson delivery.

Lesson 4 • Modification and Adaptation Strategies

Applies STEP and TREE frameworks to modify tasks, equipment, and environments. Enables participation without compromising challenge or dignity.

Lesson 1 • Health Behaviour Change Models

Applies transtheoretical, self-determination, and social-cognitive models to PE. Guides strategy selection for motivating sustained physical activity habits.

Lesson 2 • Mental Health and Physical Activity

Examines evidence linking exercise to anxiety reduction, mood, and cognitive function. Equips educators to advocate for PE as a mental health intervention.

Lesson 3 • Physical Activity Guidelines and Recommendations

Summarises evidence-based activity guidelines for children, adolescents, and adults. Enables educators to benchmark programmes against health outcome targets.

Lesson 4 • Nutrition Literacy in PE Programmes

Integrates basic nutrition concepts into PE to support energy balance and recovery. Avoids clinical scope while building practical food-activity connections.