Inclusive+Education+in+Physical+Activity+at+school

I find this site useful with what I learn t last semester in Acquisition of Skills 3 in modifying games to allow for maximum participation in your Physical Education lesson In our lesson we played a wide variety of games that were tailored to the needs of students with disabilities such as Seated Volleyball, Parachute Games, Ball games that had bells in them that are specifically for vision impaired people. Seated Bot-chi. This site can be useful for teachers who are not even doing Physical Education as a Major or Minor.

Just because someone has a disability doesn't mean they cant be actively involved in a lesson. As teachers we have got to get creative think outside the square and be always actively thinking about ways to include students within our lesson in particular Physical Activity.

http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/disability/get_involved/education Australian Sports Commission


 * __ Disability Education Program Activity Cards __**

Within the Ausport website are Disability Education Program Activity Cards:



These activity cards have been developed by the Australian Sports Commission and are a “source of inclusive game ideas for people with and without disabilities” (Disability Education Program, 2010).

The activities on the cards can be used in physical education classes to encourage the participation of students with disabilities in physical activity. Connie C Johnson (2009), in her article //The Benefits of Physical Activity for Youth With Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review//, refers to studies that indicate "that people with disabilities are less likely to engage in physical activity, are more sedentary, and are less likely to be physically fit than their peers” (p. 157). Therefore, it is of utmost importance that students with disabilities are engaged in physical education classes.

The Disability Education Program Activity Cards use the TREE principle. TREE stands for: **T**eaching style **R**ules **E**quipment **E**nvironments Using the TREE model, primary and secondary teachers can adapt their teaching style, rules, equipment, and/or the environment when playing the games on the activity cards so that they are suitable for different ages and abilities. For example, if the game of //4 Square// is going to be played with kindergarten students, the equipment can be adapted through the use of large balls, and the rules can be adapted by having the students perform the technique of underarm throw. If the game is going to be played with older students, small balls can be used with the technique of over arm throw. Within these age group modifications, the game can be adapted further according to the needs of the students. For instance, if a student has a vision impairment, audible balls could be used, and the other students in the class could wear blindfolds; or if one of the students uses a wheelchair, all of the other students in the class could play the game seated. Each activity card lists numerous modification suggestions using the TREE model.

Physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of physical activity for people with disabilities have been well reported (Johnson, 2009, p. 157). Expected outcomes from using these activity cards in physical education classes may include (but are not limited to): increased fitness; healthier bones, muscles and joints; enhanced self-esteem and self-concept; and lower levels of anxiety and stress (Burton, 2011).

References

Australian Sports Commission: Disability Education Program (2010). //Participating in Sport: Disability Resources.// Retrieved June 25, 2011, from Australian Sports Commission: http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/245766/DEP_Activity_cards.pdf

Burton, K. (2011). //Unit 6731 Health and Movement Education 1, lecture 1, week 1// [Lecture recording]. Retrieved February 7, 2011 from http://learnonline.canberra.edu.au/

Johnson, C. C. (2009). The Benefits of Physical Activity for Youth With Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review. //American Journal of Health Promotion// //, 23// (3), 157-168.

=
Inclusion of students with disabilities in physical education can pose issues for teachers. Often students with disabilities have difficulty getting involved in physical education classrooms. However, using different strategies and some ‘outside of the box’ thinking, all students can gain positive experiences from physical education. It shouldn’t be a question of what these students can’t do, but focus on what they can do. Often simply asking the student what they can do will open a range of options for the teacher.=====

=
PE Central, is a website designed for physical education teachers as a resource for teaching in a range of different environments. The area that I focused on was the [|Adapted Physical Education] section. This provides teachers with a range videos, information and ideas for students with disabilities in physical education.=====

=
The [|Adaptations for Specific Activities]section provides examples of how to adjust sports such as basketball, softball, golf, tennis, soccer and bowling. From these ideas teachers can modify a range of different sports to create a more inclusive environment. It also provides a short summary of rule changes, equipment barriers and clues to assist in including students with disabilities in activities.=====


 * Sports for People with Disabilities**

The main problem for students with a disability who have been placed into a mainstream classroom is that they may not be able to "compete" with their peers, who have no problems with physical, sensory or mental function. In the link provided a few activities that "level the playing field" are provided so that students can be included and compete with their peers.

//[|Disability Sports Activities]//

Activities included in the link above include;
 * Boccia, Goalball, Sitting Volleyball and Zone Hockey**

Activity cards for these sports and many more are dowloadable in PDF format for use within the classroom

References

Youth Sports Trust (2010) **PE and Sport: Progression: Disability Sports Activities** Retrieved from [] [Accessed on 21 July 2011]