Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: Past,Present, and Future Priorities For Higher Education Physical Activity Programs

Physical education programs in colleges/universities have been called on to provide students with opportunities to develop an appreciation for, and increase participation in, lifetime physical activity. Higher Education Physical Activity Programs (HEPAPs) have evolved over the past 100 years in response to changing societal and institutional expectations. The purpose of this article is to celebrate the long history of HEPAPs and recommend innovative strategies for program development that will maintain their position as a valued aspect of campus life. After tracing the historical roots and trends of HEPAPs, the authors suggest (a) adopting a public health perspective, (b) applying theoretical models as a framework for program development, (c) focusing on meaningful learner engagement, and (d) employing learner-centered instructional approaches. Within these overall themes, specific recommendations for program improvement are provided, including the use of alternative content areas, model-based instruction, universal design, instructional technology, and professional development for faculty/staff.     

Integrative Public Health-Aligned Physical Education and Implications for the Professional Preparation of Future Teachers and Teacher Educators/Researchers in the Field

ABSTRACT

This article has two purposes: (a) to consider existing platforms and future possibilities in the United States for what the authors refer to as Integrative Public Health-Aligned Physical Education (IPHPE), which integrates standards-based K–12 physical education with a public health agenda focusing on promoting increased physical activity and fitness, and (b) to consider the implications of IPHPE for the preparation of future physical education teachers and teacher educators/researchers. First, the historical context that has nurtured the development of ideologies that inform IPHPE is summarized. Second, examples of these ideologies in terms of their current and prospective contributions to IPHPE perspectives are discussed. Third, building from existing public health-aligned recommendations for pre-service physical education teacher education (PETE) programs, IPHPE-based professional preparation requirements for future physical education teachers are considered. Finally, the focus shifts to doctoral PETE (D-PETE) programming and professional preparation requirements for future physical education teacher educators/researchers from an IPHPE perspective. The overall intention of this article is to propose a way forward for physical education which bridges educational priorities of the profession to contemporary and relevant public health needs.     

What Are You Doing—

The purpose of this paper is to provoke thought and hopefully stimulate action in physical educators in relation to moral education through physical education. A brief overview of three moral education programs in public schools serves to enlighten the reader concerning the possibilities for such development. Kohlberg's cognitive-developmental approach to moral education is discussed in greater depth since the author recommends this model as the foundation for moral education programs in physical education. A review of cognitive-developmental moral research culminates in the establishment of three guiding principles related to (a) nature of moral dilemmas, (h) nature of the environment, and (c) role of the teacher. An application of Kohlbergian techniques to physical education is discussed in relation to the three guiding principles. The paper concludes with an appeal to physical educators for greater concern and involvement with this long-standing goal of physical education for moral (character) development by the implementation of programs in the gymnasium classroom and in teacher education programs with concurrent research to support such programs.     

Teaching STEM after school: Correlates of instructional comfort

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is a critical component of federal policymakers' agendas. Out-of-school time (OST) programs are designated as an important venue to teach STEM to K–12 students. Using a sample of OST direct staff in Pennsylvania (n = 133), the present analysis examines instructional methods used for STEM lessons and then explores the comfort level that staff have teaching STEM. About 20% or more of staff are not comfortable teaching STEM, depending on the subject. Multivariate analyses (Mann-Whitney tests) also show that staff with fewer STEM credentials, and who work in less-networked programs, or programs with less STEM instruction overall, are more likely to express discomfort teaching STEM. Policy and planning implications are discussed.     

Educational outcomes of labor-market linking and job placement for students at public and private 2-year colleges

While much research has examined how education influences work outcomes, fewer scholars have questioned whether or how school–labor market relationships might influence educational outcomes. With their rising enrollments and growing occupational programs, 2-year colleges are an increasingly important site of the school-to-work transition. Using interview and survey data from a local sample of 14 public and private 2-year colleges, we describe the employer linkages forged at different types of 2-year colleges, how institutional contexts shape linking activities, and how college–employer links are related to students’ efforts at college and confidence about degree completion. Using national longitudinal data (BPS and IPEDS), we test whether the patterns identified in our local sample are reflected nationally, examining whether the availability of job placement services by colleges predicts students’ timely degree completion.     

高校公共体育课程改革研究

高校公共体育课程是高等院校体育课程体系之中不可缺少的重要组成部分之一。对高校公共体育课程实施改革,是实施素质教育与培养全面发展的高素质人才的一条重要途径。本文探讨了我国高校公共体育课程教学中存在的问题,并提出了高校公共体育课程改革的相应方法。     

Mission,messages, and measures: Engaging zoo educators in environmental education program evaluation

Here we describe the development and implementation of a large-scale monitoring system to systematically evaluate various Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) education programs. Our primary goal was to engage program staff in developing a consistent measurement and evaluation strategy across and within education programs. We did this by using the CZS mission as a framework and incorporating participatory, theory-based, and utilization-focused evaluation approaches into our education programs. As we carried out the process, we learned several lessons that helped us to succeed. This process has allowed us to begin building the perspective among our staff and leaders that evaluation is an ongoing process that occurs alongside program delivery to inform cycles of reflection and improvement and measure program performance over time.     

A Bridge to Graduation for At-Risk Latino Males: A Case Study

Changing demographics, low Latino graduation rates, and changes to education funding—nationally and locally—challenge society to develop innovative strategies to navigate transformations affecting public education. This article presents findings from a collaborative community-engaged evaluation of a dropout prevention program for at-risk male Latino students. Our mixed-methods evaluation finds that the program has had a positive overall impact on its participants. In particular, program participation was associated with an overall rise in grade point averages, fewer failing grades, and a higher probability of graduation, compared to nonparticipants. With respect to behavioral changes, attendance was not improved over the period of program involvement; however, the number of behavioral referrals decreased dramatically. In addition, students and staff members reported that the program enhanced the students’ academic and career attitudes and aspirations. This work reveals the value of innovative programs and targeted interventions outside the classroom for at-risk students.     

SPARK——美国中小学体育课程的启示

美国SPARK(The Sports Play Active Recreation for Kids即儿童的运动、游戏和体育活动)课程是致力于改善儿童肥胖状况,促进儿童终身体育健康的一门体育课程。通过对它的培训和教学实践,再与国内体育教学相比,它先进的课程理念、科学的课程结构以及丰富多彩的教学内容和富有创造性的教学方法给我们留下深刻印象和极大的启示。     

从学前教育的性质看学前教育事业的发展

学前教育在学校教育体系中,是基础教育的重要组成部分;从对社会的影响看,学前教育是社会福利事业和公益事业;从公共管理的角度看,学前教育是公共产品。而学前教育发展中存在着政府缺位和错位,区域、城乡和公办与民办发展不平衡,以及政策缺失等问题,因此我国要把学前教育凸显为独立的以及学校教育制度,在财政预算当中单独列支学前教育经费,建立独立的幼儿教师编制、职称体系和建立专业的学前教育领导体制,并将学前教育包含到学校建设工程等项目中去。     

Assessing the Assessments of Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation programs have both a desire and a responsibility to demonstrate, with affirmative evidence, that teacher education makes a difference in PreK–12 student learning. Program faculty need good data to make decisions about the progress of students, whom to recommend for state licensure, and how to improve teacher education. This article describes an American Psychological Association task force report that discusses 3 measures of program effectiveness that have potential for both informing the public and providing useful data for programs to continuously improve: (a) outcome data from PreK–12 student academic growth as assessed by standardized tests; (b) teacher performance as evaluated by valid and reliable observational instruments; and (c) judgments of graduates, their PreK–12 students, and those who hire teachers as gauged by surveys. Although no technique of data collection and analysis is perfect, this report provides directions for teacher educators who seek to continuously improve their programs.     

影响西部地区农村学校体育发展的主要因素及应对措施

西部大开发给西部农村学校体育发展带来了前所未有的机遇，西部农村学校体育随着农村教育的综合改革，已取得了长足的进步，但与发达地区相比，还存在着较大的差距；体育观念，体育投入，教育队伍建设仍是制约西部地区农村学校体育发展的主要因素，笔者对此提出建议，旨在对发菜西部地区农村学校体育提供有益的参考。     

产教融合背景下卓越工程师培养研究与实践

产教融合是国家推动的拔尖创新人才培养政策,产教融合长效机制是产教融合发挥实质性效用、推进高等教育系统性变革的基本保障。分析了当前产教融合发展的瓶颈,并从国家逻辑、市场逻辑和高校逻辑3个方面对产教融合长效机制进行了研究。在此基础上,总结分析了北京科技大学卓越人才培养计划的初步成效,从人才培养联盟、实践育人平台、实践教学体系、师资队伍、工程文化育人5个方面详细阐述了深入推进产教融合的工作机制与实施路径,为卓越计划人才培养改革提供参考。     

高职体育教学内容的变革探讨

体育课是高职院校课程体系的重要组成部分,是高职院校体育工作的中心环节,是公共必修课程,是实施素质教育和培养全面发展的高技能运用型人才的重要途径。体育教学内容的选择和优化能更加合理地进行体育教学和体育锻炼,更好地促进学生身心和谐发展、思想品德教育、文化知识教育、体育技能与职业素养的有机结合,使学生增强体质、提高体育素养。体育教师对体育教学内容进行合理的变革和探讨。     

You Must Be Present to Win

Data show that 46% of all teachers in public schools will leave the profession within their first 5 years of teaching (Ingersoll, 2003). These data refer to teachers from all disciplines including physical education. To address these problems school districts have developed teacher induction programs that show promising results. Our literature search revealed a range of teacher induction studies based on the general population of teachers, but limited information exists specific to physical education teacher induction programs. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine major issues surrounding teacher shortages and retention, to illustrate how school districts have addressed these problems through teacher induction programs, and to determine implications for the field of physical education. In addition, recommendations are provided for bridging physical education teaching licensure programs with teacher induction.     

基于网络的课程考核改革实践与探讨

通过参加中央电大网上考试系统试点工作和试点高校网络教育部分公共基础课全国统一机考工作,根据考试系统特点,现代远程开放教育基于网络的考核改革应充分考虑成本效益、系统管理运作机制,人员基本技术素养等关键性因素。     

In Search of Staff Development: A study of academic staff appraisal

The academic award restructuring of 1991 established a trial period for academic staff appraisal for the purposes of staff development. The trend in Australia towards more formal performance management for academics has occurred during a period of substantial change to the structure of higher education and institutional management, and brought debate on whether appraisal, for either summative purposes (where performance assessment is for remuneration or promotion purposes) or formative purposes (where the emphasis is on planning personal development), is appropriate for academic staff. Arguments have been put forward for the benefits of appraisal processes with primarily developmental intent. Thus far there have been reports of the characteristics and processes of appraisal schemes, but less data on outcomes; in particular, little evidence to indicate the extent to which schemes lead to worthwhile staff development. This paper reports selected findings of a study of the evolving appraisal scheme of The University of Melbourne. The study was conducted after the scheme's second year of operation by the Centre for the Study of Higher Education which played an advisory role in an internal review of the scheme. The findings reveal some uncertainty among staff about the intentions of the scheme, and tensions between summative and formative purposes, perhaps not surprising given the contentious issue which staff appraisal has been in higher education. Nevertheless, positive outcomes were identified, but possibly too few to claim that the scheme was fully achieving a developmental objective. These findings raise questions about the effectiveness of academic staff appraisal nationally and suggest that it is time to reconsider the policy linkage between appraisal and staff development.     

Ethnic Variations of Pathways Linking Socioeconomic Status,Parenting, and Preacademic Skills in a Nationally Representative Sample

Research Findings: Grounded in the investment model and informed by the integrative theory of the study of minority children, this study used the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort data set, a nationally representative sample of young children, to investigate whether the association between socioeconomic status (family income and maternal education) and children's preacademic skills (receptive language, expressive language, literacy, numeracy skills) as mediated by parenting (learning materials, language stimulation, and outside activities) varies across Euro-American, African American, Hispanic, and Asian children. Results indicated that in general, language stimulation and outside activities were the most consistent mediators for Euro-Americans, learning materials was the most consistent mediator for African Americans, learning materials and language stimulation were the most consistent mediators for Hispanics, and learning materials and outside activities were the most consistent mediators for Asians. Practice or Policy: These findings suggest that how certain parenting behaviors are interpreted may vary by cultural context and thus how such parenting behaviors mediate the associations between socioeconomic status and preacademic skills outcomes may vary by cultural group as well. Thus, these findings have important implications for both future research and public policy. These results add to the growing literature demonstrating the necessity to consider parenting through the perspective of the majority culture not only when conducting research but also when providing programs for families from a variety of cultural backgrounds.     

Regaining the Public Trust: Complex Social Problems Meet Specialized Academic Disciplines

The importance of university researchers from different disciplines working together with teacher educators and practitioners in schools has previously been emphasized. This paper outlines the collaborative procedures and outcomes associated with three physical activity and physical education interventions in schools. The three projects, supported by NHLBl funding, are long-term, multidisciplinary investigations (CATCH, M-SPAN, SPARK). The benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration far outweigh the perceived barriers.