A New Model for Teaching and Learning: The Informed Learner in Physical Education Model

Abstract

There has been a continuous focus on developing quality physical education (PE) experiences that empower students to understand movement and engage in physical activity. This article describes a pedagogical approach that was developed to assist the PE student in understanding more about their own and others’ physical activity capacities. This new instructional approach, which is grounded in scientific methods, is called the Informed Learner in Physical Education (ILPE). The ILPE was developed to provide teachers with a pedagogical approach to facilitate meaningful learning and empower students within PE with the overarching goal of students becoming “informed learners of and about movement and physical activity.” Within the ILPE there are four features: (1) Activity Context and Educational Focus, (2) Inquiry Question, (3) Investigation, and (4) Evaluation and Articulation of Findings. These features and teacher considerations are discussed to assist PE teachers in the design and implementation of an ILPE experience.