The more I teach and the more I learn about innovative teaching practices, the more I become concerned that today's Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students are not properly being prepared to meet the needs of today's students and/or to push our field forward.

I'd like to use this Branch as a tool to explore what's being done in PETE programs that are considered as being innovative, and what needs to be done in those that aren't.

Feel free to speak from your past attendance in (or involvement with) PETE programs.

My first question: what defines 21st century learners and what are their needs?

Here are course titles I'd love to see part of every PETE program.

EDEP 214
"Social Media Professional Development"
In this course, students will learn how to leverage various social media platforms (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Branch) as tools for professional networking and development. Learning outcomes will include online professional image management, networking engagement, and influence building.

EDEP 342
"Connected Teacher's Digital Workflow"
In this course, students will be introduced to various online productivity tools that will help enhance their digital workflow. Cloud-based time/task management, collaborative curriculum planning, and digital assessment are just some of this course's learning outcomes.

(Continued)

EDKP 355
"Technology in Physical Education Pedagogy"
The objective of this course will be to introduce students to modern educational technology practices in physical education. Please note that iPads will be made available for reservation in the school's library.

EDKP 441
"Instructional Models in Physical Education"
Students will be introduced to various Instructional Models for Physical Education. Please Note: As part of this course, students will be required to register for a 5 lesson teaching practicum in which they will have to implement a unit developed in class.

EDPE 413
"21st Century Learners"
Students will learn about what distinguishes 21st learners from other generations, as well as the best practices to engage these learners.

The 21st Century has brought about an explosion of knowledge. The reconceptualisation of knowledge, evolution of technology and changing demographics; have had a significant impact on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to live, work, and play in the 21st century. This heavily impacts educators preparing students to live and work in this modern world.

Check out: globalpeforumgc.org They suggest that physical education programs need to be “rethought and reformed… examining new forms of pedagogy, embracing technology, linking practice to theory, contextually-based and embedded in community life provide a way to reshape and redesign the future of health and physical education”.

It is suggested, that students today must be taught skills such as “critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration” (p21.org, n.d). Student’s are expected to operate with “agility and adaptability; effectively analyse information; communicate in various oral and written forms; reflect greater curiosity, imagination, and innovation in their thinking” (GoFPEP, 2010).

Physical educators need to foster a love of physical activity and prepare their students to live long, healthy and active lifestyles in our ‘new’ world. The 21st Century Statement of Consensus calls for ‘Physical Education programs to encourage programs that promote a committed effort to enhancing and maintaining the health and well-being of individuals’ (GoFPEP, 2010).

The Health and Physical Education Pedagogy in the 21st Century – Statement of Consensus recommends that Health and Physical Education programs focus on healthy, active lifestyles; promoting student-centered learning; empowering individuals and advancing knowledge, skills, and dispositions required by 21st-century learners. The consensus statement calls for integrating health and physical education, promoting best practice, building partnerships, developing sensitivity to diverse conditions, gaining strategies to promote accountability, and linking practice to theory (GoFPEP, 2010).

Curriculum integration is perceived as a direction for education in the 21st century.