Adapted Physical Education

Catalog description

Basic concepts of planning and conducting physical education programs for children with physical, sensory, and/or intellectual impairments. KINES 400 Adapted Physical Education (3) This is an undergraduate level course teaching students the basic concepts of planning and conducting physical education programs for children with physical, sensory, and/or intellectual impairments. This course will help the student to become more aware of the physical needs of children with disabilities and of the possibilities to professionally deal with these needs. The course requires the student to complete a 10-hour practicum, providing the opportunity to work with children with a disability. The practicum will be conducted in cooperation with physical education staff members working with various schools in State College. The children's difficulties may range from emotional problems to severe physical and mental handicaps. Students are free to identify alternative practicum sites (e.g., work with a friend or family member with a disability). The requirements for the practicum may include: select a child who has a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability; write an Individualized Education Program (IEP) using the guidelines presented in the textbook; implement the IEP in a two-on-one teaching situation (two students, one child); keep a log of all the practice sessions; after completing the 10-hour practicum, write a final report based on the IEP, this final report should state the definition of the problem, the etiology, the general characteristics, the teaching techniques specific to the disability, an evaluation of the actual teaching strategies and an evaluation of the outcome of the practice (did it work?); and, present the findings orally (10-15 minute talk).The student will generally be evaluated by exam, teaching activity, an oral presentation, and a final report.