Ethics and Values in Physical Education

Activities

				Duration			Methods used
Activity	1	–	Story of my Life	30	minutes	Icebreaker, Presentation
Activity	2	–	Values	30	minutes	Reflection, Debriefing.
Activity	3	–	Expert Groups	60	minutes	Co-operative Learning, Debriefing
Activity	4	–	Implications for PE	60	minutes	Placemat Activity, Group Work, Debriefing
Activity	5	–	Moral Dilemmas	60	minutes	Personal Reflection, Discussion, Presentation, Debriefing
Activity	6	–	Morality in the PE Lesson	60	minutes	Agree/Disagree Debate, Debriefing
Activity	7	–	A Moral Manifesto for PE	60	minutes	Group Work, Presentation, Debriefing
Activity	8	-	Evaluation	60	minutes	Feedback, Discussion, Questionnaire.

Background and context

This training unit was originally developed within the framework of the Bachelor of Educational Sciences of the University in Luxembourg with student teachers in the 3rd and 4th year of their studies. Within this context, the student teacher is expected to develop consciousness concerning ethical aspects and values related to democracy and human rights in physical education. The training course supports students to understand the importance of ethical aspects in physical education, to identify such issues and to take these into consideration when planning lessons.

In its current version, the training unit may be used for pre or in-service training with any educator to highlight the transversal nature of education for democracy and human rights.

Depending on the context, after Activity 7, participants may be asked to develop PE lesson plans that are then piloted and evaluated in terms of the theme of this training course.

This training unit was originally piloted with educators from Luxembourg as part of the Pestalozzi Programme Module series “Physical Education and Sport for Democracy and Human Rights”.

Activity 1: Story of my Life

Duration: 30 min

Expected outcomes An ice-break to help participants get to know each other.

Methods/Techniques used Ice-breaker Presentation

Resources Flipchart Papers Markers

Practical arrangements Tables where participants can work individually. A space where participants can stand in a circle.

Procedure Step 1 – Your Autobiography (15 min) Welcome participants. Inform participants that they have received a contract to write their autobiography. The publishing agent is in a hurry and they must be really quick to complete their task. Give participants a piece of paper and ask them to fold it in half and then in half again to form a book. Participants choose the title of a popular song for the name of their book. Ask them to write that title on the front cover. On the inside of the front cover (page two), participants list a table of contents: Name & Surname Name of the place where they were born Description of their first job Number of years they have been working in their current job. On page three, they draw a picture of their family. On the back cover of the book, they draw a picture of what they plan to do when they retire. Where will they go? Who will you go with? Etc. Step 2 – Tell your Story (15 min) When all participants have finished their books, invite them to stand in a circle and to use their book as a visual aid to introduce themselves. Adapted From: Business Training Works Inc (2002). Creative Icebreakers, Introductions, and Hellos for Teachers, Trainers, and Facilitators

Tips for trainers You may change the focus of the pages of the book but be careful not to make any of the questions too personal. If the group already know each other, ask participants not to write their name. Collect books, and distribute randomly among the group. Participants must now guess who the book belongs to.

Activity 2: Values

Duration: 30 min

Expected outcomes Participants reflect on their personal values and the values that are upheld in Physical Education and Sport.

Methods/techniques used Reflection Debriefing

Resources Slips of paper in 2 different colours (e.g. yellow and green) Writing material

Practical arrangements Tables where participants can work individually.

Procedure Step 1 – Personal Reflection (15 min) Give participants 2 strips of paper. On the first slip of paper (yellow), ask them to complete the following sentence: “In my interactions with others, I value…” On the second slip of paper (green), ask participants to complete the following sentence: “In Physical Education, the most prominent aspects are…” Ask the participants to consider what they have written and reflect upon any differences. Step 2 – Debriefing (15 min) Collect the slips of paper into 2 bags, separating them by colour. Pick up a few slips of paper from the first bag with the yellow strips of paper and read out the sentences. Repeat with the other bag and statements about Sport. Initiate a brief discussion. Can you notice similarities/differences?

If in our daily interactions with others we value… (use examples from the participants’ answers) why is it that in Sports more importance is given to (use examples from the participants’ answers)

Tips for trainers Instead of putting the strips of paper in separate bags and reading statements at random, participants could stick the slips of paper on 2 notice boards. Allow time for participants to read all the statements then initiate the discussion.