Challenges related to pupil learning: Helping pupils to learn effectively

Learning is an active process which results in a change in behaviour. Within the context of physical education, learning is demonstrated by increases in pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding related to the activity being taught. A teacher’s understanding of the processes involved in learning and the learning theories on which these are based will enable them to better identify strategies to facilitate the learning of all pupils.This chapter seeks to look at why learning in physical education might not be taking place in one school and approaches that might be employed to enhance the learning of all pupils. It then looks at what changes the physical education department made following a period of reflection and focused professional development to better facilitate pupils’ learning in the subject.