From Ainsworth to Shelton: Problem Based Learning in Physical
Education and Teacher Education
Ann R. McNeil, United States
Today, changes are occurring in the delivery of information to students
in higher education. These changes are made necessary by a number
of factors that impact society and its educational institutions. Three
factors related to this presentation include:the technology revolution,
the general reform movement in education, and problem based
learning(PBL).
For a number of years, PBL has proven effective in medicine, law, and
business.
Each of these professions employs case studies, problem solving and team
learning to instruct students. In an effort to improve the delivery
of information to students in fields other than those mentioned, the
National
Science Foundation in the United States selected several institutions to
develop model programs in PBL, and our institution was one of these.
On our campus, PBL is currently being utilized in courses in chemistry,
biology and physics, as well as physical education teacher
education.
This presentation proposes to describe applications of PBL and technology
in two physical education courses, Issues in Physical Activity and Student
Teaching Seminar. We will describe a number of PBL techniques,
report
on the effectiveness of PBL, and discuss applications of technology in
PBL courses. Our title, “From Ainsworth to Shelton…,” serves as a
metaphor for the various changes in the delivery of education in our
profession.
We have evolved from instructional techniques that were traditional and
formal, to those that emphasize innovation and feature active
learning.
We will illustrate how PBL helps to shift the responsibility for learning
from the teacher to the student.
