Lesson 5: Theories

Supporting the Teaching

of Physical Education
and Health for
Elementary Grades
 Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• identify the different learning theories related to teaching physical
education and health in elementary grades;
• discuss the importance of the learning theories in teaching physical
education and health in elementary grades;
• describe how observation conducts learning;
• evaluate the relevance of each theory in teaching physical education
and health in basic education; and
• construct the relationship of the different factors of cognitive learning.
 Introduction
To make good choices and decisions about strategies for learning
approaches with the integration of technology, social media and blended
learning programs that educators would like to develop, educators must first
consider the different theories of learning.
Educators, in their role as curriculum designers, must ensure that
programs and learning strategies are appropriate and consistent with the
needs of children. They must also choose and implement instructional
materials and techniques that will help pupils achieve their educational
objectives. They would be able to better understand the learning process
and meet the assumptions if they are aware of the learning theories.
 Reasons in Using Learning Theories in Planning,
Preparation, Implementation, and Evaluation of Lessons

1. Theories provide a foundation for understanding how people describe,

explain, interpret, learn and make learning prediction.
2. Theories include in-depth insights into learning, as well as
contemplations and rigorous studies.
3. Learning theories includes structures that help designers understand
how information can be use, how knowledge should be created, and
how learning occurs.
4. These structures can be used by educators as learning designers to
meet the needs of the pupils.
Learning Theories
1. Cognitive Learning Theories
- The cognitive learning theory examines people’s mental processes. Understanding how we learn
requires understanding of mental processes.
- Plato and Descartes- were among the first thinkers to concentrate on thought that and how we
perceive as humans.
- Jean Piaget – is ae well known figure in cognitive psychology, and his research focuses on how
environment and internal systems influence learning.
- Cognitive theory suggests that internal thinking and external influences are both essential aspect
of the cognitive process at its most fundamental stage.
The mental mechanism by which the pupil take in, interprets, stores and retrieves knowledge is
called cognitive learning. Between the stimulus ( input) and the answer, the mind goes through a
mental phase ( output). The stimuli will enter an individuals mind, be processed, and then acted
upon. There are several components to the mental process. These include the following;
* Attention, Observing, Perceptions, Interpreting, Organizing, Memory (storing), Categorizing,
Forming generalizations
Benefits of Physical Education and Health from Cognitive Learning
Theory.
- Pupils learn effectively by using their brains in cognitive learning.
- Enables pupils to fully engage in learning.
- Children will develop skills and techniques in cognitive learning that will help them boost their
school results, such as how to think critically and make lasting connections between subjects.
- Pupils at a young age may benefit from this theory by assisting them in deciding the most
appropriate way for them to learn; assisting them in successfully remembering and applying
newly learned concepts; and teaching them how to take a ‘big picture’ approach.
Benefits of Cognitive Learning
• Cognitive learning helps improve children comprehension.
• Cognitive learning develops children’s problem solving skills.
• Cognitive learning promotes long-term learning.
• Cognitive learning improves confidence among pupils.
• Cognitive learning instills a love of learning among pupils.
2. Constructivism Learning Theory
- Constructivism is a theory stating that rather than passively taking in information,
pupils construct knowledge.
- Constructivism is a learning theory stating that pupils develop their learning based
on their prior experiences.
- Constructivism can be used by a teacher to help the pupils recognize that each of
them brings their history to the classroom every day. In constructivist classrooms,
teachers serve as something of a reference, assisting pupils in developing their
learning and understanding.
Related to this are the processes of assimilation and accommodation.
- Assimilation refers to the method of integrating new data into a pre- existing
schema.
- Accommodation refers to revising and redeveloping an existing schema using
new acquired knowledge.
Consequences of the Constructivist Theory
• Instead of passively receiving knowledge, pupils learn better when they
are actively engaged in learning experiences.
• learning is inherently a collaborative activity because it takes place in a
social environment where pupils and teachers cooperate to acquire
information.
• Because knowledge cannot be directly imparted to pupils, teaching aims
to provide opportunities for pupils to develop knowledge through
experiences.
• Traditional teaching focuses on imparting knowledge to pupils, but
constructivism believes that this information cannot be explicitly imparted.
Essential Components to Constructivist Teaching
According to Baviskar, Hartle, and Whitney if you choose to use constructivist concepts in
classroom or when planning your classes, there are few key elements. These are the
following;
• Elicit Prior Knowledge
- in relation to pupils prior knowledge , new knowledge is generated.
• Creative cognitive dissonance
- assign pupils issues and events that will test them. As they progress through the difficult
problem, pupils acquire expertise by encountering new problems and revising schemas.
• Apply knowledge with feedback
- encourage the pupils to assess new information and make changes to their prior
knowledge.
• Reflect on learning
-enable pupils to explain to you (and to themselves) what they have learned.
Benefits of Physical Education and Health from
Constructivist Learning Theory
• Physical Education deals with bodily movements, while health deals
with acquiring knowledge.
• Health may also benefit from this theory by simply applying some
health practices or lessons in reality.
• Active learning is needed in physical education when it comes to
learning how to be fit, play games and sports, and do other
recreational activities.