Physical education is an elementary right that promotes learning, integral, affective, and social development.

Physical education is a favorite subjects and, at the same time, it is one of the most hated. This is due to the fact that priority is usually given to physical and sporting performance, with a clear competitive nature. The student who does not possess strong motor skills is exposed to glances and comments that can be hurtful. This can foster insecurities in the student. Therefore, it is necessary to educate with respect, using didactic strategies to deal with problems or situations that are not very positive.

Should the same expectations be placed on students and the same skills be demanded of them? The answer is no. An education that is based only on the physical aspect restricts the pedagogical potential of the course. The body should be the medium through which learning is generated as well as the development of communicative and affective skills.

Aspects to be taken into account in physical education

• The course should prioritize the quality of practices and make it more inclusive. Encouraging the development of healthy physical and sports habits and lifestyles.
• Do not focus teaching only on the physical (strength, endurance, or speed) but also include cognitive (problem solving or creativity), social (communication skills, respect, and inclusion), and affective (effort or motivation) aspects.
• Evaluation should be varied and formative; that is, aspects such as sportsmanship, communication skills, creativity, and effort should be evaluated. Instead of grading only physical condition. Likewise, not only the teacher should evaluate the students but also the students themselves or the self-evaluation. The important thing is that students feel that their personal effort is valued.
• It is important to encourage respect for the different learning paces of students, allowing for appropriate progression so that they are both attainable and challenging.

In this way, a physical education that breaks with traditional practices, takes into account the students’ effort and the development of new skills is provided.

Finally, the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University) (UNIB) offers the Master in Physical Activity: Sports Training and Management.

Source: Is it possible a physical education that goes beyond the purely physical?