Due to COVID-19, teacher candidates in the 2019/20 Bachelor of Education program have had to quickly adapt their teaching and learning styles through the use of online platforms. We are showcasing some of the wonderful examples of projects created by them as part of the community field experience.
Krysten Lindquist BEd Secondary (Physical Education)
- What is the name of the community partner or group you are working with?
- Special Olympics BC
- What is your project’s subject area(s)?
- Physical & Health Education (PHE) and Special Education
- Tell us about your project!
- The Sport Start program is a Special Olympics Program designed to give young athletes (ages 12 to 18 years) their first taste of an organized, sport-specific training program. It was developed specifically for youth with an intellectual disability and promotes the development of basic motor and sport skills and game play in a fun and positive environment.
In replacement of Sport Start Soccer weekly soccer sessions (which have been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19), online training videos will be sent to the athletes with the hopes that they will be able to stay motivated and maintain and improve their skills while remaining connected to the program.
Special Olympics BC provides programs to many athletes across the province. As the athletes have varying needs, they are at a high risk to Covid-19 and will likely have a long journey before in-person training can resume. For many athletes, weekly attendance at these programs is one of their only opportunities for socializing and exercising. Losing this opportunity could take severe tolls on their health, both physically and mentally. By creating accessible videos for the athletes to follow along to, they will hopefully be able to maintain a level of physical activity, build on and develop their skills, and feel a sense of connectedness to the group.
- Did you face any particular challenges in the planning, making or delivery of this project?
- No, Special Olympics BC was very supportive, even asking us to expand the videos to audiences beyond the Sport Start Soccer program.
- How was the project received? Did anything surprise you about the outcome?
- So far, the response has been great. Special Olympics BC has been sharing the project with Special Olympics Canada, and since it is the first online program targeting youth, they are hoping to share it with athletes all over Canada. The athletes involved in the program have been loving it so far, sending in messages and videos of them doing the activities. The parents/guardians of the athletes are very happy that their child is able to get the opportunity to remain active and motivated with a program they enjoyed very much, and have been sad to lose due to COVID-19.
- Can you tell us about a highlight of creating this remote lesson plan?
- Overall, it has been super fun for me. I get the opportunity to stay involved with the athletes I have been working with all year, and by making the videos I myself get to stay active and motivated as well. It is great to remain connected to people, even in a different way than expected.
- What media did you use to create your project?
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- YouTube
- Gmail
- Where can we view your project?
- This is the link to the YouTube Channel, where videos are uploaded every Monday.