PE2020 Is About Building a Shared Vision for Physical Education in the Year 2020 and Beyond
PE2020 Submission Details
| Date: | 10/13/2010 |
| First Name: | Earle F. |
| State: | Washington |
| Age: | 65+ |
| Submission Title: | Making Physical Activity Education a Basic Subject– Matter Within the Educational Curriculum by 2020 |
| Submission Theme: | Curriculum |
| Submission Entry: | PE2020 Submission Making Physical Activity Education a Basic Subject– Matter Within the Educational Curriculum by 2020 Physical (activity) education (and related health information) should become a basic subject-matter within the educational curriculum by 2020! In addition, it should “cease and desist” from calling itself a profession as soon as possible–certainly by 2020. By itself it is not a profession! It is a subject matter taught in an insufficient number of educational institutions to an insufficient number of people for an insufficient amount of time at the several educational levels. Ergo, we are physical activity education teachers in the education profession who may also serve as coaches, but we are not members of a separate profession. Further, like it or not, the name “KINESIOLOGY” is gradually taking over as the under girding disciplinary title for our field and others too. Keep in mind that all graduates of these disciplinary programs are not necessarily only becoming physical activity educators and coaches. They have other opportunities for scholarly endeavor and professional service. Similarly, the burgeoning field of SPORT MANAGEMENT has carved itself a mission distinctly different from what we believe should be termed physical activity education; they too have other opportunities–often overly commercial. Interestingly, further, and unfortunately, physical activity education in the public sector has been gradually "outflanked" and/or exploited in a variety of ways. As the late comedian Jimmy Durante used to say, "Everybody wants to get into the act!" This “everybody” or “others” truly want to do so now that the amazing value of regular physical activity to promote human welfare has been scientifically proven. As it developed, however, our professional task is prescribed. As educators we are simply not those people designated to promote physical (activity) education and (educational–recreational) sport out in society at large to people of all ages from "womb to tomb", be they in either the "normal, special needs, or accelerated populations." Resultantly, a myriad of professionals from medical doctors to “personal trainers” are now selling their services along these lines often in disparate ways. (This is so because our developing body of scientific knowledge is not generally available anywhere as ordered generalizations.) So be it! However, as dedicated physical (activity) educators who sometimes coach a sport, also, we must still feel challenged to do what we can to see to it that by 2020 all children and youth will receive fine experiences throughout all of the years in their educational experience. These required experiences should include instruction in (1) body mechanics, (2) physical fitness, (3) self defense, (4) swimming & water safety, and (5) indoor and outdoor physical leisure skills. Related health information should be included. Such experience should be required for an entire period at least three days a week throughout the entire educational experience to provide children and youth with the necessary knowledge, competencies, and skills (and the necessary attitude!) to help them live fuller lives–and also to live longer! Earle F. Zeigler, Ph.D. 2010 10 10 |