Action Research as a Tool for Modifying Curriculum of the Girls' Physical Education Program at Syl Apps

Abstract

<p>The intent of the physical education program in highschools is to provide students with information and skills that will assist them in living a healthy, active lifestyle. This intent was not been realized through the teaching of physical education at Syl Apps School, a secure custody facility for Young Offenders. Action Research was used to investigate the areas in which the physical education program was not meeting the needs of the female students at Syl Apps.</p><p></p><p> The action research process involved the stages of finding a starting point, clarifying the problem, developing action strategies and putting them into practice. These stages were undertaken twice in order to ensure the efficacy of the action strategies developed.</p><p></p><p> The purpose of this project was to develop suggested modifications to the physical education course so that it would be better suited to the female students at Syl Apps. The suggested modifications that resulted from this project included the establishment of four key assessment tools (Movement skills Assessment, Sister's Package, Self Assessment, Fitness Profile), and the inclusion of a clinical component into the course.</p>