Assessment: The Untapped Power in Physical Education

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Josh Ogilvie brings over two decades of physical education expertise to this eye-opening conversation about transforming assessment practices. As a secondary PE teacher, provincial association president, and curriculum developer in British Columbia, Josh shares practical wisdom that challenges traditional approaches while offering accessible alternatives.

The discussion travels beyond surface-level teaching strategies to explore what truly constitutes quality physical education. Josh articulates how intentional planning and responsive teaching create meaningful student experiences, contrasting this with the reactive approaches some educators default to during challenging times. His candid admission about abandoning fitness testing early in his career opens a powerful conversation about how traditional assessment methods can actually undermine student confidence and motivation.

Josh Ogilvie shares his expertise on assessment in physical education, advocating for intentional teaching approaches that elevate student learning and teacher satisfaction. Below are some of the topics we discussed. 

• Intentional planning and responsive teaching leads to more meaningful student experiences. 
• Traditional assessment methods like fitness testing can humiliate students who aren't top performers.
• Ipsative assessment focuses on personal improvement rather than comparison to arbitrary norms.
• Effective feedback provides context to praise and suggests next steps for improvement.
• Student surveys and observation help tailor curriculum to student abilities and interests.
• Connecting with educators outside your school prevents isolation and burnout.
• "Meaningful Physical Education" by Tim Fletcher and his colleagues offers valuable insights through teacher stories.
• Technology and AI can save time on assessment tasks when used with professional judgment.
• Finding one thing that brings excitement back can help teachers avoid burnout.

Josh's website https://www.jogilvie.com/ (hosts information about his teacher coaching programs and the upcoming memberships he will be launching soon)

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joshogilvie.bsky.social

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-ogilvie/

Twitter: https://x.com/joshogilvie4

Resources:

Meaningful Physical Education