Complexity Thinking in Physical Education (Paperback)

Alan Ovens

ISBN 10: 0415645174 / ISBN 13: 9780415645171

Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd, London, 2014

About this Item

Paperback. In the past two decades, complexity thinking has emerged as an important theoretical response to the limitations of orthodox ways of understanding educational phenomena. Complexity provides ways of understanding that embrace uncertainty, non-linearity and the inevitable messiness that is inherent in educational settings, paying attention to the ways in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is the first book to focus on complexity thinking in the context of physical education, enabling fresh ways of thinking about research, teaching, curriculum and learning.Written by a team of leading international physical education scholars, the book highlights how the considerable theoretical promise of complexity can be reflected in the actual policies, pedagogies and practices of physical education. It encourages teachers, educators and researchers to embrace notions of learning that are more organic and emergent, to allow the inherent complexity of pedagogical work in PE to be examined more broadly and inclusively. In doing so, Complexity Thinking in Physical Education makes a major contribution to our understanding of pedagogy, curriculum design and development, human movement and educational practice. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Complexity Thinking in Physical Education (Paperback)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, London
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415645174
• ISBN 13: 9780415645171
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In the past two decades, complexity thinking has emerged as an important theoretical response to the limitations of orthodox ways of understanding educational phenomena. Complexity provides ways of understanding that embrace uncertainty, non-linearity and the inevitable ‘messiness’ that is inherent in educational settings, paying attention to the ways in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is the first book to focus on complexity thinking in the context of physical education, enabling fresh ways of thinking about research, teaching, curriculum and learning.

Written by a team of leading international physical education scholars, the book highlights how the considerable theoretical promise of complexity can be reflected in the actual policies, pedagogies and practices of physical education. It encourages teachers, educators and researchers to embrace notions of learning that are more organic and emergent, to allow the inherent complexity of pedagogical work in PE to be examined more broadly and inclusively. In doing so, Complexity Thinking in Physical Education makes a major contribution to our understanding of pedagogy, curriculum design and development, human movement and educational practice.

About the Author

Dr Alan Ovens is a Principal Lecturer in the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy at The University of Auckland. His research interests are in the area of teacher education and educational sociology. He coordinates the Faculty’s Special Interest Network in Complexity (SINC) and leads a Research Network in HPE Teacher Education.

Dr Tim Hopper is an associate professor in the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. His research interests are in the areas of teacher education, physical education (PE) and how complexity thinking informs learning.

Dr Joy Butler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy at The University of British Columbia. Her research interests are in the areas of teacher education, constructivist learning theory, complexity thinking and situated ethics. She is active in international scholarship, organization, and advocacy for TGfU.