Towards quality physical education in Ireland and Switzerland

Abstract

Quality Physical Education was the theme of an exchange programme involving teacher education students (n=6) and university lecturers (n=2) from Switzerland (HEP Vaud) and Ireland (St. Patrick’s College, DCU) as part of the PEERS Project whose aim is to enhance collaboration on educational themes. They examined policy and practice related to teaching physical education to children (7-15 years) informed by literature (UNESCO, 2015; Qeps.ch, 2011; NCCA, 1999). The project involved observation of teachers in Dublin (Ireland) schools and in schools in Vaud (Switzerland) as they taught physical education. A key emphasis was on reflecting together on the provision of quality physical education in both countries while students also shared cultural experiences. The students documented their learning as part of their final year coursework in both the Irish and Swiss universities. A final interview was conducted by the university lecturers investigating the students’ perceptions of their learning from the PEERS project underpinned by the concept of becoming global teachers.