Search Results (29)

Outdoor education camps offer adventure programs to schools that deliver camp-based activities that challenge students in various ways. These camps provide students with an opportunity to learn in a natural environment, interact with their peers outside of the classroom, and participate in activities that challenge them both physically and mentally. Youth Adventure Camps also espouse a Christian ethos, Christian values, and spirituality, which are also key focuses. Prior research into outdoor education camps has examined the social, emotional, and physical benefits for students. In this study, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five (n = 5) Christian Youth Adventure Camp (CYAC) staff to better understand their experiences and perceptions of their induction, ongoing training, strategies, and pedagogical approaches used to deliver the CYAC camp programs. Targeted observations of camp staff (N = 5) in action were also used to identify the intentional pedagogies they used to embed CYAC’s philosophy within their camp programs. This paper is part of a larger study, and its findings are focused on the perspectives of the camp leaders for two key reasons: First, we wanted to examine the intentional pedagogies of camp leaders, particularly those who were not qualified teachers; and second, our aim was to examine how these camp leaders included the values-based THRIVE philosophy in their day-to-day practice. Our findings show that, despite not being university-qualified educators, camp staff consistently employed intentional pedagogies that were effective in engaging students in opportunities to “thrive” in alignment with the philosophy underpinning their operations and to meet the goals of the school using their programs. Full article

The architectural design studio, with its dynamic and expanding scope, challenges traditional academic boundaries and bridges academia and practice by providing an integrated structure. A pedagogy based on experimentation transforms the studio into a laboratory where research and design merge, exploiting the unpredictable benefits of hands-on experience. Accordingly, this study explores experimental pedagogical fictions and tools aimed at integrating material experimentation into studio education, expanding its scope to encompass various craft mediums. It adopts a descriptive and exploratory qualitative methodology, combining theoretical and practice-based methods. It takes atelierz, a vertical architectural design studio, as a case study. Firstly, drawing on Gilles Deleuze’s philosophy of creative experimentation, a philosophical interpretation of the pedagogical fiction of the studio is made on contexts, tools, and actors. Secondly, focusing on the experimental possibilities offered by tools of installations and prototypes, and analyzing their pedagogical use in the architectural studio, the thematic frames of materials, methods and tools, interdisciplinary connections, engagement modalities, and field of discovery are used to evaluate material experimentation. Based on two semesters of atelierz’s visual and physical outputs and process documentation, the findings demonstrate the impact of installations and prototypes on understanding, designing, and applying materials, developing technical skills, transforming non-disciplinary knowledge, mediating exploration, and structuring specialized field of inquiry. This research highlights the pedagogical value of material experimentation and contributes to architectural education by providing knowledge and experience of the studio fictions developed, the pedagogical tools employed within these fictions, and their use for material experimentation. Full article

Mencius’ “Theory of Embodying Virtue 踐形說” is an important theory that combines moral cultivation and physical practice, emphasizing that virtue is externalized and realized through concrete physical actions. This paper explores the theoretical foundation of the “Theory of Embodying Virtue 踐形說”, examining its internal connections with Mencius’ doctrines of “Innate Goodness”, “Four Beginnings 四端”, and “Nurturing Qi 養氣”. Through self-cultivation, individuals can gradually transform their inner virtues into outward behaviors, ultimately achieving the unity of virtue and the body. This not only serves as an essential path for personal moral cultivation but also embodies the Confucian moral ideal. Additionally, the paper analyzes the contemporary significance of the “Theory of Embodying Virtue” from the perspectives of modern ethics and body philosophy, particularly in terms of its implications for moral education, the improvement of social ethics, and the shaping of leaders’ moral images. By conducting an in-depth discussion, this paper reveals that Mencius’ “Theory of Embodying Virtue” still holds significant theoretical and practical value in contemporary society. Full article

The interdisciplinary teaching of contemporary physics has become increasingly common in physics education, especially for high school students and teachers. This approach, which integrates content and methodologies from various disciplines, fosters scientific reasoning, enhances creativity, and increases student motivation and interest in physics. The use of digital technologies, such as social media platforms, supports these educational goals by facilitating the inclusive and cost-effective dissemination of scientific knowledge and the development of soft skills. This paper introduces the “Gravitas” project, an initiative that employs an interdisciplinary approach to present contemporary physics topics to high school students through social media. Coordinated by the Cagliari Division of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Italy, the “Gravitas” project offers a non-traditional learning environment where students explore modern physics and philosophy and the history of science. Through the creation of educational materials, such as social media posts, students actively engage in their learning. In 2022, around 250 students from 16 high schools across Sardinia, Italy, participated in this project. This paper discusses the learning outcomes, highlighting the potential of integrating formal high school curricula with innovative educational and digital tools. Full article

Cooperative learning in physical education not only promotes the overall development of students, but also lays the foundation for lifelong learning and sustainable development from the perspectives of cultural integration and social responsibility. This study examined students’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive outcomes on the one hand. On the other hand, it focuses on the potential of cooperative learning to promote cultural diversity and personal responsibility. A systematic literature review of 50 articles selected according to the PRISMA guidelines revealed that the focus of CL applications varied according to the age of the students and multicultural contexts. At the micro level, physical and social domains were emphasized, while cognitive domains received less attention. CL was found to benefit motor skills (coordination, flexibility, strength) in students of different ages, to reduce negative emotions while promoting social skills and teamwork, and to improve cognitive skills and memory in junior students. At the macro level, CL can help students to improve self-reflection, reduce negative behaviors, and increase personal responsibility and cultural integration. The focus of researchers from different countries reflects educational philosophies and cultural differences, increasing the flexibility and universality of CL. Full article

Education in today’s society is starting to focus on training in line with the new curriculum concept and curriculum integration concept, paying attention to the change in students’ learning styles and following the law of students’ physical and mental development. In order to cultivate talents more in line with the needs of society and, meanwhile, to improve students’ own quality and comprehensive competitiveness, this paper analyzes and studies the classroom teaching strategies of art songs and students’ psychology under the educational philosophy of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics (STEAM). Firstly, the concept of STEAM education is introduced in detail, and teaching activities under the concept of STEAM education are analyzed. Secondly, the teaching strategies for the teaching of art songs are put forward. Finally, students’ learning psychology is explored to prove the correctness of the teaching strategies. A questionnaire survey is conducted by constructing the evaluation system of the STEAM educational concept. The survey results show that the classroom teaching of art songs under the STEAM educational concept significantly improved students’ “teamwork and interpersonal skills” and “learning interest”. The calculated results of P values are all less than 0.01, which shows that the correlation is significant. Therefore, the STEAM educational concept has positive significance for improving students’ learning motivation and comprehensive quality. This paper provides new theoretical and practical support for current higher education teaching strategies and models by assessing the application of STEAM education in teaching art songs and the blended teaching effectiveness in college English. This paper offers valuable experiences and methodological insights for future similar research endeavors. Full article

In this paper, I turn to Adam Phillips’ recent discussion of the vexed nature of cure in psychoanalysis to consider the structural differences between mental and physical health. I examine how psychoanalytic thinking raises questions for naturalistic ways of thinking about mental health and for broader crisis narratives that are becoming prevalent in Western modernity. In the latter half of this paper, I draw a comparison between thinking about matters of health and ways of thinking in the philosophy of education. I suggest that the lure of cure can be detected in statements of universalist aims and ends for education (which themselves have come to invoke conceptions of wellbeing and mental health in modern times). I also explore Phillps’ account of psychoanalysis as ‘something better than a cure’ and consider its implications for future thinking in the philosophy of education. Full article

This study aims to comprehensively explore the core competencies required of physical education teachers in universities, within the context of modernizing higher education. The goal is to build an index system that conforms to the development of the core literacy of college PE teachers. With the vigorous development of higher education, increasingly higher requirements are placed for college teachers. Starting from the perspective of higher education modernization, this study comprehensively explores the corresponding core qualities of physical education teachers in colleges and universities, which has certain research value. The research utilizes qualitative analysis, the Delphi method, and the analytic hierarchy process to construct a comprehensive indicator system that includes four primary indicators: moral character, educational ability, teaching competence, and research expertise. These primary indicators are further divided into 15 secondary indicators, such as political morality, information literacy integration, research concept literacy, and educational and teaching philosophy, and 53 tertiary indicators, such as the integration of ideological and political education into the curriculum, information ethics and morality, research values, and pre-class teaching decision-making data. The analytic hierarchy process is employed to determine the weight coefficients of each level of indicators, as well as the comprehensive weight coefficients of the secondary and tertiary indicators. The primary indicators of the system are representative and used to determine the appropriate weight of the indicator system for different types of physical education teachers. The study found: 1. That moral character and educational ability occupy the first and second proportions, respectively, in the weight coefficients of the core competencies of different types of physical education teachers. 2. Teaching and research-oriented teachers have a considerable proportion of teaching and research expertise, respectively. 3. Research-oriented physical education teachers have a much higher proportion of research expertise than teaching expertise. 4. Teaching-oriented physical education teachers have a higher proportion of teaching expertise than research expertise. Discuss: The constructed indicator system is scientifically sound and structurally reasonable, providing theoretical reference and guidance for the evaluation and cultivation of core competencies of physical education teachers in universities, and effectively helps the sustainable development of college physical education teachers. Full article

(1) Background: Physical literacy is increasing in popularity across the world as a concept central to the promotion of lifelong engagement in physical activity across a multitude of sectors. The education sector has embraced physical literacy as a concept worthy of focus. Physical literacy literature is bold in its claim that physical literacy should be the foundation of physical education. The objective of this paper was to understand the value of physical literacy as the goal of physical education through the lens of the capability approach; (2) Positioning: This research adopted a post-qualitative sensibility whereby knowledge is decentered, favoring the inseparability of ethics, ontology, and knowledge (ethico-onto-epistemology); (3) Discussion: Throughout the discussion, traditional humanist examples are extended to include post-humanism perspectives to offer a more holistic and ecological appreciation of the relationship between capabilities, physical literacy, and physical education, using the ten capabilities of life, bodily health, bodily integrity, senses, imagination and thought, emotions, practical reason, affiliation, other species, play, and control over one’s environment; (4) Conclusions: The paper concludes with the recommendation that the capabilities approach offers a valuable framework for the continued justification of physical-literacy-enriched physical education, which, when aligned, can help to shape the opportunities provided for children and young people in support of their holistic development and lifelong engagement in physical activity. Full article

Flight has become a common everyday occurrence. We have engineered ever more efficient and reliable aircraft, facilitating safe transportation around the world. However, from the education literature on the topic of lift, online discussions, and YouTube, it becomes apparent that there are underlying pedagogical issues. The 2003 New York Times article by Chang and the 2020 Scientific American article by Regis conclude that no one really understands flight. These claims are made without regard for the underpinning science and engineering responsible for the modern aviation industry. Although, it does beg the question, why is there confusion about how wings work? Several factors have conspired together, resulting in this confusion. Fluid mechanics is a complex topic that stumped legends of physics and mathematics for centuries. It also contains paradoxes, exacerbating the complexity. However, the central thesis of this work is that knowledge about aerodynamics is not easy to construct due to two main factors. First, there are epistemological traps that directly lead to fallacious conclusions. Second, representativeness heuristics incorrectly apply behaviors of visible water to invisible air. While many assume they know how wings work, if they do not understand why there is confusion, rather than dismissing it, confusion will endure. Full article

Adolescence represents a crucial phase, characterized by rapid physical and mental development and numerous challenges. Physical activity plays a vital role in the mental well-being of adolescents; however, due to the prevailing educational philosophy prioritizing academic performance, adolescent participation in physical activities has yet to reach its full potential. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on adolescents’ emotional intelligence, psychosocial stress, and self-rated health status. To achieve this objective, a cluster sampling method was employed to collect data from 600 adolescents in 10 schools across five municipal districts of Changsha, China. A total of 426 valid questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Utilizing AMOS v.23, a structural equation model was constructed to validate the hypotheses. The findings reveal that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly impacts adolescents’ emotional intelligence and self-rated health status. Conversely, it exerts a significant negative influence on their psychosocial stress. Moreover, emotional intelligence and psychosocial stress mediate the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and self-rated health status. In light of these results, education departments, schools, and families must embrace a paradigm shift in educational philosophies and provide robust support for adolescents to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities. Full article

The study reported here aims to explore the relationship between Waldorf education and the sustainable school approach through a small-scale qualitative research study conducted in a Greek Waldorf school. Following a semi-structured interview protocol, four teachers shared their views and beliefs on the congruence between the two approaches as reflected in the philosophy and everyday practice of their school. The study’s findings indicate that the Greek Waldorf school manifests several of the quality criteria that define a sustainable school, with pedagogy identified as the most relevant aspect, particularly in terms of the quality of teaching and learning processes. Participants also identified common features between the two approaches on both the social/organizational and physical/technical levels. Although not all the criteria of a sustainable school are fully met, the teachers believe that the sustainability concept is implicitly interwoven with the philosophy and practice of Waldorf education and that their school is moving in the direction of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Full article

The purpose of this publication is to provide generalized knowledge of the area of changes that took place over past centuries in relation to health, social and cultural conditions. In Greek mythology, it was necessary to nurture both body and spirit to be a perfect human being. This link between the concepts of physical beauty and goodness can be also found in later works dedicated to ancient Greek history. Particularly in Greek myths, and in Greek education in general, it was believed that both physical and spiritual excellence were necessary to raise men to achieve their true form. Some of the main forms of implementing this idea were hand-to-hand combat exercises (wrestling, boxing and pankration). Ideas characteristic of the world of ancient Greece, in a general sense, can be observed in the culture of the Far East. The main difference is the fact that these principles did not survive in Western culture as a result of transformation into a consumer society focused on the rejection of moral principles. The brutalisation of the forms of the Roman Games meant that the ideals of the ancient world were forgotten for more than 1500 years. The modern Olympic Games were resurrected in the 19th century. Inspired by the ancient Greek cult of health of body and spirit, they gave rise to a movement known as Olympism. In the Olympic Charter written by Coubertin, Olympism was called “a philosophy of life exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind”. The combat sports disciplines have had their place there since the beginning of the modern Olympic Games. The evolution of hand-to-hand combat disciplines, including numerous scientific studies indicating a very broad impact in the area of health, led to this type of physical activity being reached for as an essential element in supporting the health-promoting behaviour of society. Nowadays, physical activity in the area of exercise with elements of hand-to-hand combat, combat sports, or martial arts is an indissoluble link in the prevention and treatment of 21st century diseases. For Parkinson’s disease patients, drug treatment is an essential resource for continuing to function in society, but it will not be completely effective without supporting the treatment with appropriate and attractive physical activity (e.g., “Rock Steady Boxing”). Of similar importance is the prevention of dangerous falls, which are common in this population as well as among the elderly or those affected by other diseases of civilisation. Implementing the principles and techniques of safe falling in the teaching of the young population significantly increases the likelihood of applying appropriate responses to these individuals in adulthood and old age. Actions that should be taken now for prevention can be implemented through social programmes, such as “Active today for a healthy future”. Full article

Aim: This paper aims to enhance the emphasis of college physical education (P.E.) in the psychological education of P.E. students and provide a reference for the innovation of P.E. teaching methods. Methodology and procedures: On the basis of the Internet of Things (IoT) and a deep-learning algorithm, combined with psychological education, the teaching effect and the influence on learning philosophy are comprehensively evaluated through the construction of teaching evaluation index system for college P.E. students. Results: The theoretical courses of P.E. students in colleges and universities lack the integration of psychological-education concepts. It is found that the new teaching mode not only has a significant effect on improvement of training courses, but also promotes learning enthusiasm and theoretical courses. In the aspect of psychological quality evaluation, emotional-control ability significantly improved, the average score increased from below 60 to above 79, and self-challenge ability and adaptability to adversity also effectively improved. In the evaluation of deep-learning ability, students’ critical thinking ability improved most obviously, and their complex problem-solving ability also improved to some extent. Conclusions: Based on the IoT and machine learning, college P.E. teaching mode can effectively improve students’ psychological quality and ability, effectively improve students’ training and theoretical achievements, and significantly improve their academic achievements. It can also improve students’ self-learning ability. Practical applications: This paper reforms the traditional P.E. teaching mode, effectively demonstrates the hypothesis through practical teaching, designs the teaching evaluation index system of college P.E. students, and improves their learning ability and comprehensive achievements. Full article

With quantum physics being a particularly difficult subject to teach because of its contextual distance from everyday life, the need for multiperspective teaching material arises. Quantum physics education aims at exploring these methods but often lacks physical models and haptic components. In this paper, we provide two analog models and corresponding teaching concepts that present analogies to quantum phenomena for implementation in secondary school and university classrooms: While the first model focuses on the polarization of single photons and the deduction of reasoning tools for elementary comprehension of quantum theory, the second model investigates analog Hardy experiments as an alternative to Bell’s theorem. We show how working with physical models to compare classical and quantum perspectives has proven helpful for novice learners to grasp the abstract nature of quantum experiments and discuss our findings as an addition to existing quantum physics teaching concepts. Full article