Journal Entry 3

1. Physical Education

Journal Entry 3

Tuesday 18th September, 2018

Theory

In today's session, the terms 'motor skill' and 'motor development' was discussed with our peers before presenting an explanation to the class. Next, the discussion continued on understanding the purpose of Physical Education. Students were asked to share their views. Apparently, the purpose was related to movement in every aspect, for example; movement learning opportunities that improve motor skill, develop fitness through movement, increase knowledge of movement and lastly stimulate desire to remain physically active. The components of the Physical Education Curriculum for the Primary school level was another topic discussed today. Movement education, educational gymnastic, games training, athletics, rhythmic activities and outdoor activities are aspects of this curriculum. 

In a nutshell, I learnt that the term motor development is the changes occurred in human movement throughout life span.

Motor development also refers to the development of a child's bones, muscles and ability to move around and manipulate his or her environment. Referred as muscle tone. Children need a balanced muscle tone in order to develop their muscles and use them with ease when standing, sitting, rolling, walking etc. It involves the child's vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Both are part of the child's sensory systems.

Motor development can be divided into two sections: 

• Gross Motor Development
• Fine Motor Development

Motor Learning is about permanent change in performance. It is about actions that require the use of muscles in specific ways to achieve a desired outcome.

The acronym S.P.I.E.S means social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual which emphasizes on the whole child. 

Furthermore, we moved on to the three stages of learning. 

• First stage - Beginning
• Second stage - Intermediate
• Third stage - Advance/Automotive

Following the stages of learning, the lecturer taught the concepts of motor learning. There are five concepts which are:

• Attention limits
• Transfer
• Skill demonstration
• Task progression 
• Feedback 

Practical

During practical we began our usual warm up by walking, running and other motor skills from individual to peer grouping. Right after the warm up, groups of five were formed and three objects of the same were taken, for example, our group took three small white balls. The instructions of the activity were to observe the persons in your particular group throw a ball (not to anyone) in different ways for three rounds then switch with the persons who were observing. Once that activity was completed, everyone sat on the floor to discuss about the activity. Some students were chosen to demonstrate the different methods on how to throw a ball. To end this session, we gathered around in a circle to talk about what we have learnt in today's session.