This module is designed to help students understand different forms and meanings, characteristics and trends associated with the development of youth sport, physical activity, and physical education provision predominantly for young people. A core concern of the module is how sport, physical activity and physical education in schools and communities might be transformed in ways that enhance young people's engagement and to bring about 'positive' change within the child/adolescent and for all stakeholders. To develop the tools to advocate for young people's participation in physical activity, the module will provide opportunities to critically examine the development of sports policy and provision, PE professional identity, current concepts, issues and outcomes related to participation in physical activity of individuals of all abilities and explore methods for enhancing student voice and leadership. The module will focus on students being able to reflect on and evaluate their professional practice, the relationship between physical activity participation and promotion, physical fitness, physical education provision and individual and national health status. Opportunities to apply the module content will be offered through a focus on evidence based research, engaging for example in action research, mixed methods data collection and analysis, designing Leaving Certificate Physical Education content and assessment and participation in service-learning opportunities with internal/external agencies

The module will be implemented using lectures, tutorials and service-learning opportunities. Student will be challenged to engage as a researcher/inquirer through the module assessment. Content will include: • The nature and value of physical education, physical activity and sport. • Pillars of youth sport and physical activity participation (physical education, extra-curricular sport and activity opportunities outside school). • Physical Activity and Sedentary behaviour recommendations, assessment, levels and determinants. • Physical activity behaviours and adolescent health. • Contemporary issues and debates in physical activity provision and policy • Whole-school approaches to physical activity and health promotion • Service learning in conjunction with Limerick Youth Sport Partnership • Research design, data collection & analysis skills

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Discuss the personal, social, economic and environmental benefits of physical activity for health and wellbeing at different life stages. • Identify characteristics and trends in the development of (youth) sport policy and define those most pertinent to the Irish context. (Knowledge) • Illustrate an understanding of the supports and barriers which shape sport and physical activity opportunities for all young people. (Inclusive Education, Analysis) • Critically examine the levels and determinants of physical activity behaviour for all ages and abilities. (Digital Skills, Numeracy) • Identify the pedagogical implications of current policy and provision for physical activity, including the relationship between participation and health.(Global Citizenship Education) • Describe an effective approach to physical activity and youth sport promotion for all within schools and the related community.(Literacy) • Synthesise evidence-based knowledge and professional practice to analyse data, critically evaluate and debates current issues and controversies in physical education, physical activity and health promotion (Creativity & Reflective Practice).

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Develop attitudes and values that enable pre service teachers to work with communities to bring about 'positive' change in terms of physical activity and sport provision (and potentially policy). (Global Citizenship, Professional Identity and Agency) • Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of physical activity for health and quality of living for all, regardless ability, age, sex and other factors.(Inclusive Education)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Develop skills to engage with communities in order to successfully support physical activity and sport provision (Global Citizenship, Professional Identity and Agency) • Develop the skills and confidence to advocate for quality physical activity, physical education and sport provision and policy. (Inclusive Education)

In order to meet the learning outcomes of the module and to promote engagement with the UL graduate attributes a variety of teaching and learning and assessment methods and modes will be employed. Teaching and learning methods include lectures, tutorials and practical labs, individual and group assignments, directed learning, oral presentation and service learning partnerships that will provide opportunities for action research. Recent developments and research findings are foundational to the learning outcomes and content of the module. Provision and policy for physical activity, physical education and sport have seen dramatic change in recent years, most notably with the publication of the first Physical Activity Plan for Ireland, the Healthy Ireland framework, Physical Education framework for senior cycle and the introduction of leaving certificate Physical Education. Internationally, the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018 - 2030 aims to improve the social, cultural, economic and environmental factors that support physical activity, combined with individually focused (educational and informational) approaches. Physical activity is key to support the achievement of several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG3 and SDG11. The implications of these, and other, national, and international initiatives will underpin the content taught. Existing curricular models pertaining to physical fitness, physical activity and health related subject matter in Physical Education will be critically evaluated. The utility, relevance and evidence to support the application of existing models will be considered e.g. Health related physical activity (SCPE); contemporary issues in physical education (SCPE), comprehensive school physical activity programmes (Y-Path, Health Optimising Physical Education). Technological knowledge of sport and physical activity will be developed, for example through exploring the validity and reliability of wearable technology to measure physical activity behaviours.