Implementing Active Homework in Secondary Physical Education
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2013
Journal / Book Title
Strategies
Abstract
During the past decade, physical education has gone through some tough times. Between increased pressures to succeed on standardized testing, which has resulted in increased classroom time and decreased time in the gym, and tight budgets, children are not getting the quality physical education they deserve. The 2012 Shape of the Nation Report revealed that only 13 states require a minimum weekly amount of physical activity time for middle school students (CitationNational Association for Sport and Physical Education [NASPE] & American Heart Association, 2012). Given these findings and the fact that 32% of students are watching television and 31% are using computers three or more hours a day in an average school day (CitationNASPE & American Heart Association, 2012), it is no wonder the United States has so many overweight children.
Unfortunately, this puts physical educators in the position of having to prove that their job is necessary. The best way to justify physical education is to share with others the many benefits of being physically active as well as provide quality physical education to children. One way to improve a physical education program is to incorporate the use of active homework. By implementing homework, not only are you able to place more attention on the cognitive domain, which is often overlooked, but you are also able to better reinforce skills and concepts learned in class, which can be especially useful when you have limited class time (CitationGabbei & Hamrick, 2001). Homework is also an assessment tool that provides teachers with evidence for grades, which many experts deem necessary (CitationGallo et al., 2006). This article will provide examples of active homework that can be implemented in any secondary physical education program.
DOI
10.1080/08924562.2013.839433
Journal ISSN / Book ISBN
85058246703 (Scopus)
Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation
St. Ours, Elizabeth and Scrabis-Fletcher, Kristin A., "Implementing Active Homework in Secondary Physical Education" (2013). Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education Scholarship and Creative Works. 91.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/exersci-physed-facpubs/91