Volume XXXI, No. 26 | November 6, 2009
Physical Education Counts
Teaching physical education requires degrees in physical education, exercise science, recreation and leisure studies, as well as minors in nutrition, physical sciences, biomechanics, and/or sports medicine. Those of us who teach physical education (PE) come with a plethora of experiences in sports and physical activities, and with the knowledge to provide expert-level teaching for students new to the activity or the discipline at the collegiate level.
“PE” is not only about playing games. Huizinga’s Homo Ludens reported that “play was the primary formative element in human culture” and “primary to, and…a necessary condition of the generation of culture.” Play is necessary and not all that simple. For example, the textbooks required for basketball or bowling and the skills needed to play those games are surprisingly more difficult to readers who believe that those games are relatively simple activities—e.g., bowling is based on a series of mathematical computations; the game of basketball is like a game of chess with all the pieces moving at the same time while being required to figure out the next moves. Both are relatively complicated “games” that take time and intelligence to learn and expertise to teach.
Do you know the difference between a soccer ball and a volleyball; the mechanics to execute the proper form in various swimming strokes; the difference between aerobic training and yoga, as well as the various forms of yoga; the different ways to train your body in the weight room depending on different goals, physical limitations, age, or body weight; how to roll, exit, enter, and make basic strokes to canoeing and kayaking; how to survive in the wilderness?
PE teachers can teach all these skills while teaching bioenergetics, biomechanics, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, and more. They maintain certifications and remain current with research in the field. PE is a science, measured quantitatively and qualitatively. It is this discipline that may save your life. For example, we have an epidemic of obesity and related health maladies that pose enormous threats to our citizens. We understand the issues, how to combat the epidemic, and how to program for prevention.
We love what we do, know it is important, and appreciate sharing respect for educating the whole student alongside other disciplines.
Tonya Butler-Collins, Instructor, Education, Health and Wellness
Paula Edney, Assistant Professor, Education, Health and Wellness
For further information, contact the authors at Gainesville State College, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503. Email Tonya or Paula.
