Sociocultural Perspective as Curriculum Change in HPE: Reflection

This essay reflects on the shift towards a sociocultural perspective within the Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in Australia, examining its departure from traditional medico-scientific and biophysical foundations. It highlights the marginalization of sociocultural knowledge at both secondary and tertiary levels, emphasizing the need for pedagogical and structural changes, including teacher reorientation. The essay discusses the implications of this shift, such as transformed teaching methods, updated teacher training, and a greater focus on social justice and equity. It also underscores the opportunities for pre-service teachers to enhance their understanding of sociocultural aspects in HPE. The author references Cliff (2012) to support their arguments.

Running Head: REFLECTING UPON A SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE 1
REFLECTION ON A SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE AS A CURRICULUM
CHANGE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Student Name:
Student Number:

REFLECTING UPON A SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE 2
The Health and Physical Education (HPE) syllabus with the basis of the sociocultural
aspect started to take its roots in Australia with the establishment of Board of Senior
Secondary Studies, Board of Studies and New Zealand by the Ministry of Education. I feel
that the transformation has been attained with a shift in focus from medico-scientific,
psychological and biophysical foundations into the individualistic decision. Though there has
been the marginalization of the socio-cultural form of knowledge in the domain of PETE. I
have seen that at the tertiary level also, there is marginalization from the historical place and
sociocultural knowledge. While KLA is concerned with producing healthy citizens, HPE
remains occupied regarding the truth of health and practices.
However, I feel such momentaneous changes need to be backed up by pedagogical as well
as structural shifts. The teacher's view was not considered in such a shift while the teachers
must reorient themselves. The focus of the new system is having a social view regarding
health with a social justice principle. Courses that teacher take-up needs to prepare them on
such contemporary cultures. This will enable teachers to reduce barriers and promote more
neoliberal discourses. Its implications in school are the transformed methods of teaching and
learning that need to be adapted and teacher's training needs to be devised according to new
curriculum standards, though not much revision has been made to it. In the community
context, it is expected to bring about a greater sense of righteousness and equity. There is a
tremendous opportunity presented for pre-service teachers in educational programs to
increase their knowledge regarding sociocultural knowledge and status in HPE.

REFLECTING UPON A SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE 3
References
Cliff, K. (2012). A sociocultural perspective as a curriculum change in health and physical
education. Sport, Education and Society, 17(3), 293-311. DOI:
10.1080/13573322.2011.608935