New teaching approaches in European physical education: Learning about and implementing pedagogical models in the new Blended Intensive Programme – Dr. carmen barquero ruiz.

Thirteen students from the BSc in Physical Education and PME programmes at PESS have been selected to participate in an international blended module designed to enhance their training as PE educators along with other students from Spain and Italy. This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) aims to provide the selected students with an enriching international experience while learning about various teaching methods that primarily focus on the application of different curricular models.

The course is supported by experts from three collaborating universities: the University of Limerick in Ireland, Università degli Studi di Roma Foro Italico in Italy, and Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM) in Spain, and it is supported by ERASMUS (UE). From UL it is led by Prof. Elaine Murtagh, Ursula Freyne, and myself. Also, Antonio Calderón and Brigitte Moody will be involved too delivering some teaching in their respective fields.

The BIP will consist of a hybrid teaching methodology that combines both online and face-to-face components. The online training will run from 4 November to 16 December 2024, featuring weekly two-hour lectures and seminars, in which students will engage with a variety of teaching materials, discussion forums, case studies, practical group work, and evaluative activities. On-site training is scheduled to take place in Murcia, Spain, from 20 to 24 January 2025, allowing students to immerse themselves in hands-on experiences.

Throughout the online training, various blocks of content will be covered. The course includes three main blocks focusing on different curricular models, Inclusion and Cultural Studies (Block I), Sport Education and Teaching Games for Understanding (Block II), and Cooperative Learning, Adventure Education, Attitudinal Style, and Self-Construction of Materials (Block III). Each block consists of both theoretical and practical elements, enabling students to learn not just the theory behind these models but also how to practically apply them in educational settings.

In addition to lectures and seminars, the on-site training will feature engaging activities such as virtual reality sessions and visits to high-performance sports facilities. Students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with a bilingual school in the Murcia region, where they can implement their learning in a real educational environment. This experience is invaluable as it allows students to apply what they have learned with actual students, bridging the gap between theory and practice. As such, this module not only equips future educators with essential knowledge but also fosters international collaboration and the exchange of best practices across different educational contexts, ensuring a well-rounded and progressive educational experience. More info can be found in the official webpage created by UCAM University.

I want to greatly appreciate the overwhelming response this module has received this year, with over 54 applicants eager to participate. We hope that this experience will be immensely valuable for the students involved and that similar opportunities can be offered to all interested individuals in future editions. I firmly believe that the values of internationalisation are a fundamental aspect of the development of future educators, enriching their educational journeys and preparing them to thrive in increasingly diverse and globalised environments, and from PESS we will keep working on offering opportunities in this regard.