Debates in Physical Education

Debates in Physical Education explores major issues physical education teachers encounter in their daily professional lives. It engages with established and contemporary debates, promotes and supports critical reflection and aims to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers to reach informed judgements and argue their own point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding. In addition, concerns for the short, medium and long term future of the subject are voiced, with a variety of new approaches proposed.
Key issues debated include:


What are the aims of physical education?


What should be covered in a physical education curriculum?


How should we judge success in physical education?


Is physical education really for all or is it just for the gifted and talented?


Can physical education really combat the rise in obesity?


What is the future for physical education in the 21st Century?


Debates in Physical Education makes a timely and significant contribution to addressing current contentious issues in physical education. With its combination of expert opinion and fresh insight, this book is the ideal companion for all student and practising teachers engaged in initial teacher education, continuing professional development and Masters level study.

Susan Capel is Professor and Head of the School of Sport and Education at Brunel University, London, England.
Margaret Whitehead is Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Education, Sport and Tourism at the University of Bedfordshire, England.

Introduction Part I The nature of physical education Introduction to Part I 1. What is physical education? Susan Capel and Margaret Whitehead 2. What is the education in physical education? Margaret Whitehead 3. What is Physical Literacy and how does it impact on physical education? Margaret Whitehead Part II Learning in physical education Introduction to Part II 4. What should pupils learn in physical education? Elizabeth Murdoch and Margaret Whitehead 5. Physical education and health? Considerations and issues. Lorraine Cale and Jo Harris 6. What is success in physical education and how can this best be achieved? Val Rimmer Part III Teaching in physical education Introduction to Part III 7. Rethinking teacher knowledge in physical education: What do physical education teachers need to know? Daniel Tindall and Eimear Enright 8. Why do physical education teachers adopt a particular way of teaching? Susan Capel and Richard Blair 9. Are physical education teachers reflective practitioners? Paula Zwozdiak-Myers Part IV The key players in physical education Introduction to Part IV 10. Who is physical education for? Dawn Penney and John Evans 11. Who should teach physical education in curriculum and extra-curricular time? Richard Blair and Susan Capel 12. Public perceptions of physical education? Helen Ives and David Kirk Part V Looking ahead Introduction to Part V 13. Conceptualising teaching as learning…the challenge for teacher education Kathy Armour 14. What is the future for physical education in the 21st Century? David Kirk Conclusion 15. Conclusion Margaret Whitehead and Susan Capel