NASPE Standard 4: Instructional Delivery and Management

Physical education teacher candidates use effective communication and pedagogical skills and strategies to enhance student engagement and learning.




Element 4.1: Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills across a variety of instructional formats.

Artifact: Motor Development Lab

Date: Fall 2009

Reflection:

In Motor Development, I assisted in St. Mary's Elementary School after school program. I learned how to effectively give the class instructions. Applying tactics such as getting down to the students' level and speaking loud and clear will drastically change how the children react to a lesson. Enthusiasm is essential for the activity that is planned to engage the children. Another great way to help the children focus is to stand with the gym wall behind your body so the children do not get distracted by anything going on in the gym. These strategies greatly improve physical education lessons.

Both verbal and non-verbal communication strategies help students focus on the instructions and become eager to participate.
Students who are focuses and listening to the instructions will stay on task and perform more successfully during class.

Verbal and non-verbal communication skills are very important for physical educators. Physical education teachers need to receive and maintain the attention of their students as well as simplifying tasks for students.



Reflection: Lab 6




Element 4.2: Implement effective demonstrations, explanations, and instructional cues and prompts to link physical activity concepts to appropriate learning experiences.

Artifact: Aerobics and Fitness Association of American Personal Fitness Trainer Certification

Date: Spring 2011

Reflection:

At the end of the AFAA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification course I needed to pass a written exam and practical exam to get the certification. The criteria for the practical test included proper physical demonstration and explanation of the exercise being taught, verbal instruction with client, and proper cuing.

Passing this practical exam demonstrates my ability to give effective demonstrations, explanations and instructional cues to aid the student in the learning experience. All of these components are used by physical educators are tools to help their students become physically educated individuals.

Physical education teachers need to be able to do all of these things because they are essentially what teaching is. If a teacher cannot break down a skill into cues to help their students, they are going to have difficult teaching and the students will have difficulty learning. A physical educator who cannot properly demonstrate or give explanations for certain activities is not going to be successful because it greatly reduces the transfer of knowledge.