Course Objectives

Play: Students will be able to create various playing activities based on movement, and adapt them to the needs of children, adolescents and adults through experimentation and cooperation, and also based on basic movement activities, sports, dance and outdoor activities,
Dance: The students will be able to: create and perform simple dances based on knowledge of choreography and creativity as well as skills in improvisation, both individually and in cooperation with others. Plan, carry out and assess instruction in dance for children and adolescents, and for girls and boys with differing abilities and cultural backgrounds.
Outdoor Life: In their study of outdoor life theory, outdoor life pedagogy and outdoor life management students will develop their personal skills, gain insight into the interdependency between man and nature and increase their ecological awareness by hiking and camping in natural surroundings.
Sports: Students will be able to: reflect on teaching, learning and training regarding various types of sports and be able to discuss which values should be central in the school's teaching of sports in the subject Physical Education. They will be able to exhibit skills and mentoring in a selection of sport disciplines and individual sports both indoors and outdoors.
Subject didactics: Students will work on various activities focusing on theoretical material in pedagogy and education. They will develop the ability to analyse curriculum intentions as a basis for the planning, implementation and evaluation of adapted teaching in Physical Education on the basis of the students' backgrounds and the subject’s special character.

Course Description

Play: Work on the target area play will emphasise an understanding of play, and its importance to a child's development. In working with the target area, it is essential to emphasise movement play in practice. The following topics will be emphasised: children and play, play in KL - 06, traditional play, play in the local community and movement play in the gymnasium.
Dance: The target area includes 3 dimensions: creating, practising and understanding.
Creating dance: Play, rhythm activities, improvisation, creativity and movement factors.
Practising dance: Demonstrate basic skills in creative dance, Norwegian and foreign folk dances and rhythm play.
Understanding dance: Norwegian and foreign dancing traditions, the elements of dance, ability to give an account of the role of dance in the curricula of primary and secondary schools, planning, executing and assessing dance for children in primary schools.
Outdoor life: This part of the course will provide an introduction to outdoor life. The course emphasises basic skills in relation to various kinds of physical environments and seasons. Outdoor Life in Body 1 is mainly aimed at teaching in the primary school. The target area includes the following topics: development of outdoor life in primary schools and the subject's place in KL-06, The Norwegian Outdoor Recreation Act, trip planning and follow-up work, group processes, orienteering and choice of routes, shelter and camps, plants and animal life and clothing and equipment.
Sports: This part of the course mainly focuses on sport activities in relation to teaching in primary school. There is also an emphasis on a basic training in a variety of sports.
Team sports: Basic ball skills and basketball
Individual sports: Orienteering, skating, swimming
In this introduction students will attempt to realise the targets through: reflecting on the similarities and characteristics of the various sporting activities, and on the values perspective of teaching sports in the school subject Physical Education. Students should be able to demonstrate skills and the ability to supervise in selected sports’ activities, carry out safety routines in the relevant environment, as well as carry out water rescue training and heart-lung rescue.
Subject didactics: In seeking to achieve goals the course will focus on the following topics: Subject didactics and various activity disciplines, subject didactics’ theoretical models, teaching methods, the special characteristics of the subject Physical Education / different approaches to the subject, assessment of the curriculum, the role of the teacher in Physical Education and assessment of pupils. Practical experience will be explored through applying general theoretical models that will provide a basis for reflection and argument. Discussion must be based on relevant experience, basic theory and a formal foundation.

Learning Methods

Play: The target area will be organised both through theory and practice. The teaching and learning methods used: problem-based and explorative learning, group work, lectures and guidance. Students are responsible for their own learning through their own initiative seeking knowledge through subject literature and articles, fellow students and guidance.
Dance: The target area dance will be organised through practical work. The work will take place individually or in groups. Students will gain experience in practical, methodical dance arrangements that will be documented in writing.
Outdoor Life: Experience and learning will mainly take place outdoors, and outdoor activities will be organised around trips. The autumn trip in the local area lasts 2 days and winter trips are 4 (3) day skiing courses. The work will be based on the guidance methods which function as a tool for the students' experiences and learning. Guidance constitutes the pedagogical learning and teaching method in outdoor life, and students will gain knowledge of what the guide’s role constitutes. This requires that students show commitment, initiative and progress during the course.
Sports: The target area consists of 16 ECTS. Teaching and learning methods: problem-based learning, group work, individual work and guidance. In addition to teaching, students will be given the opportunity to train individually. This requires a high degree of commitment and initiative from each student. It is expected that students take responsibility for their own learning and seek guidance from the subject teacher and fellow students.
Subject Didactics: The practical approach to subject didactics is realised through coordination with activities’ theory throughout the study period. The following teaching and learning methods will be used: Practical work will provide a foundation of experience which in turn provides material for subject didactics’ questions, problem-based approaches to various topics, the organisation of movement environments for diversity in challenges, and observation as a basis for ensuring quality of teaching and lectures.

Assessment Methods

Play: Mandatory requirements: At least 80% participation, completed assignments, grade scale pass / fail. In order to receive a passing grade for the major course unit, each course unit must receive a passing mark.
Dance: Obligatory work must receive a passing grade. Minimum of 80% participation. Practical - methodical work in dance with a written report, grade scale: pass / fail.
Outdoor Life: 100% obligatory attendance of the teaching sessions is required. This also includes preparatory and follow-up work with regard to the trips and other teaching arrangements.
Sports: Obligatory work must receive a passing grade. Minimum 80% participation.
Subject Didactics: Students will plan and carry out teaching plans. These assignments may be related to the target areas in activities theory. It will be assessed as pass / fail. In addition, study assignments may also be given which will be assessed as pass / fail. Minimum 80% participation.
In order to achieve a passing grade for the major course unit each course unit must receive a passing grade. Please refer to Telemark University College Examination Regulations.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean