This module is part of the Broadening the Curriculum Agenda here in UL for creating interdisciplinary modules as part of the UL Strategic plan and specifically is designed to enable students to evaluate the importance of health for optimal learning, educational achievement and personal development and appreciate the relationship between an active body and active mind. Through engaging in diverse learning strategies that include practical learning as well as the more traditional lecture and tutorial format, students will experience first-hand the interplay of physical, mental, social and emotional dimensions of learning for health. It will encourage students to integrate the important concepts of an active lifestyle for physical and mental health, well-being and academic achievement. In addition, the module aims to take students beyond traditional understandings of health and learning and to apply their new knowledge to create sustained cognitive, emotional and behavioural change for improved learning and health gains.

Students will be provided with content and opportunities that allow them to engage in physical activity and learning in a fun, creative, challenging and social context. Through the introduction of different physical activities using the UL campus environment (e.g., team challenges, orienteering, walking, aquatics, sports, dance) students will become aware of the common currency of physical activity not only from a group perspective but also with respect to the level of autonomy individuals have in determining their own active lifestyles. The module provides students with an opportunity learn from an interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary perspectives how to make decisions from a collective group perspective as regards the determinants of being physically active and also accomodate space for students to identify their own motives/ motivational climate in considering and maintaining an active lifestyle. Behavioural change models (e.g., the transtheoretical model/ stages of change model) provide the framework for students to conceptualise and measure active lifestyles of the student population as well as their own. Additionally, this framework can facilitate promotion strategies for individuals and groups. Attention will also be given to the environment in which activity occurs focusing on aspects of contextual intelligence. In addition to enhancing their physical health, the module will also challenge students to become critically aware of their learning styles, their personal study habits and the link between physical activity and improved motivation and learning success.

- Articulate the recomendations and guidelines for physical activity participation at both individual and societal level. - Understand and identify the characteristics and trends that shape active lifestyle opportunities for themselves and others - Identify behaviour change models that explain physical activity levels and changing lifelstlye behaviours - Outline a range of positive lifestyle changes and understand their cognitive, emotional and physical consequences - Review active lifestyle choices and experiences with a view to engaging with a behaviour change model to positively impact their future involvement in active lifestyle choices - Critically analyse learning styles and the link between health gain and improved educational outcomes

- Enhance their intrapersonal knowledge by becoming more aware of the link between their health wellbeing and educational outcomes - Display confidence in their understanding about the capacity to change behaviour - Value the role of self-reflection in maintaining or changing their current (active) health lifestyles

- Enage in a range of group and individual physical activities that provide multiple opportunities to showcase active lifestyles - Conduct a needs assessment with respect to their lifestyle behaviours using a variety of methods - Conduct a needs assessment with respect to their study and learning behaviours - Engage in appropriate physical activity and self regulation strategies to meet the recomended guidelines for physical activity - Enhance their health and wellbeing - Acquire the requisite lifeskills for long term health maintenance

This module will be taugh by the following team members- Mark Campbell (PESS; sport & exercise psychology) AnnMacPhail (PESS; sport pedagogy) Tadhg MacIntyre (PESS; sport & exercise psychology) Edward Coughlan (PESS; Skill Acquistion & Motor Development) Patricia Mannix-Macnamara (EPS; Health education & promotion). This module has been designed with the graduate attributes at the core of the student learning experience. In particular it will contribute to the attributes in the following ways- PROACTIVE- the module will encourage students to be proactive in making a commitment to active lifestyles as integral to their current and future lives thus making a positive contribution to the national health status. It will also encourage students to be proactive in the development of their own skills and learning, fostering their ambition to make a positive difference in their own lives CREATIVE- a capacity to see new possibilities and opportunities and to act on them RESPONSIBLE- the module will encourage students to adopt a responsible critically aware and engaged approach to their physical health, psychological wellbeing and learning. COLLABORATIVE- the module will develop students ability to participate as valuable members of networks, groups and teams. It will increase their proficiency in working with others while also developing their own interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.