Master of Education in Physical Education

Purpose

The Master of Education in Physical Education will prepare researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Education, namely Physical Education. The qualification will enable the learner to understand the professional practice at an advanced level.

The qualification enables Physical Education specialists to obtain a nuanced understanding of the ontology, epistemology, methodology and axiology of the Physical Education curriculum, teaching-learning and assessment. It further allows for the deconstruction of the Physical Education curriculum to unleash the societal, cultural and political undertones in diverse Physical Education curriculum contexts.

Rationale

The Physical Education specialists will not only understand global transformations in the field of Physical Education but will be able to participate in such transformation as active change agents.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may grant access to the qualification. RPL will follow the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment, and the institution's RPL policy. The Faculty of Education will manage the process.

• The Faculty of Education will ensure that quality assurance processes address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems); and that administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment, are in place.
• The assessment of the learners will be against NQF Level 8 competencies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Education Honours, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma: Education, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding to engage and critique educational research and practices in the field of Physical Education, and related specialised or applied exercise science areas, including motor learning, exercise physiology, sports law, sport management and talent development; and to contribute to disciplined thinking about matters and issues regarding Physical Education.
• Evaluate current processes of knowledge production in the field of Physical Education and to choose appropriate methods of enquiry in the area of Physical Education, including Physical Education pedagogy, implementation and policy, and related exercise science areas including motor learning, exercise physiology, sports law, sport management and talent development.
• Conduct an independent inquiry in the specialised field of Physical Education and to report their findings in academically appropriate ways.
• Design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in Physical Education.
• Exhibit the potential to act as academic leaders and experts in the field of Physical Education.
• Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability, concerning the ethical implications of research, and the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Display specialised knowledge to enable engagement and critique of current research and practices in the field of Physical Education, including Physical Education pedagogy, implementation and policy;
• Engage in systematic and disciplined thinking about educational matters and issues, with particular reference to specialise or apply Physical Education and related exercise science areas, including motor learning, exercise physiology, sports law, sport management or talent development;
• Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to solve complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Physical Education, including Physical Education pedagogy, implementation and policy, and related exercises science areas such as motor learning, exercise physiology, sports law, sport management and talent development;
• Analyse and apply special problem-solving skills to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems in the field of Physical Education. Specific reference to specialisations, including Physical Education pedagogy, implementation and policy, and related exercise science areas, including motor learning, exercise physiology, sports law, sport management and talent development;
• Design and implement a strategy for the processing and control of information to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in an area of specialisation to produce significant insights; engage and initiate in academic and educational discourse to report and defend substantial ideas that are the result of research in an area of specialisation in Physical Education, including Physical Education pedagogy, implementation and policy, or related exercise science areas, including motor learning, exercise physiology, sport law, sport management or talent development;
• Implement policy, or related exercise science areas, including motor learning, exercise physiology, sports law, sport management or talent development, plan, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes in complex and unpredictable contexts in Physical Education;
• Apply high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability in own management of learning and analyse and evaluate ethical implications of research on socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment during the research may be based on any of the following if required by the research topic or the discipline:

• Portfolios.
• Simulations.
• Workplace assessments.
• Group discussions.
• Presentations in front of peers and experts.
• Oral and written summative assessments.

Summative assessment takes the form of the examination of the dissertation or other acceptable forms of research output as appropriate to the field of study.