Abstract:

This presentation will focus on a segment of an ongoing project whose overarching objective is to develop Health Enhancing Physical Activity Modules in Physical Education in Higher Education. The main goal of the Sport Physical Education and Coaching in Health (SPEACH) Project is to increase awareness and behavioural change in sport professionals and European citizens towards an active and healthy . To achieve this, the project will develop HEPA related educational modules, which will be included into existing educational structures in physical education (PE) higher and vocational education, in order to stimulate pupils, young athletes and adults towards an active and healthy lifestyle. An innovative aspect of the project is the diversity of partners involved. The consortium consists of ten organizations and actors from seven EU countries in the field of sport, PE and health. The partners involved are national and international sports committees, sport federations and higher educational institutes in the field of sport, PE teacher education and health.

The presentation will focus on the needs analysis phase; and the module development and training of trainers phase. The objective of the needs analysis is to explore the specific needs of the and wishes from Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). Eurobarometer (2014) revealed that 39% of Europeans are not active in exercise or play sports while 52% are not engaged in informal and non-competitive physical activities. The methodology involved conducting on online survey with the undergraduate and postgraduate students in 7 countries in Europe, and 21 universities; a focus group with international experts and interviews with national experts. This resulted in a an innovative approach to ‘modules’ that are practice (case) based and have a multidisciplinary approach in Higher Education.The module development and training of trainers phase of a specific module will be discussed. This module is a complex case that involves the use of wearable technology for learners to increase their awareness and behavioral change.

Keywords:

Health Enhancing Physical Activity, Curricular innovation, wearable technology.