The mission of the Physical Education Program is to provide future Physical Education teachers the ability to:
(1) Understand how individuals learn and develop and can provide developmentally appropriate experiences that support their cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains.
(2) Identify, select, and implement appropriate learning opportunities based on an understanding the student’s developmental stage.
(3) Describe and apply bioscience (anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical) and psychological concepts to skillful movement, physical activity, and fitness.
(4) Demonstrate knowledge of approved state and national content standards and local program (curriculum) goals.
(5) Understand how individuals differ in their approaches to learning and create appropriate instruction adapted to these differences.
(6) Identify, select, and implement appropriate instruction that is sensitive to students’ strengths and weaknesses, multiple needs, learning styles, and prior experiences.
(7) Incorporate appropriate services and resources to meet diverse learning needs.
(8) Select and implement a variety of developmentally appropriate practices and teaching strategies for skill development and to motivate students to participate in activity inside and outside the school.
(9) Understand and use assessment to foster physical, cognitive, and social and emotional development of students.
(10) Employ assessment techniques to assess students understanding and performance, provide feedback, and communicate student progress using both summative and formative assessment.
(11) Interpret and incorporate learning and performance data to make informed curriculum and instructional decisions and improvements.
This major, general studies, and professional education to total 128 credit hours minimum. A second specialization in Health Education is strongly recommended.
All students wishing to complete a program leading to certification/licensure for teaching must be formally admitted to the Professional Education Program. Please refer to the Professional Education Requirements link above under Academic Programs for complete details.