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The importance of the study of the scientific principles of learning human motor skills is evident in that motor learning is a required core course as set forth by the NASPE standards. Applied Motor Learning in Physical Education and Sports goes further than simply providing valuable scientific theories. Authors Jin Wang and Shihui Chen transform those theories into practice in an understandable approach by incorporating case studies and practitioners’ implications, making this a comprehensive authority on the topic of motor learning.

Written for undergraduate students, PE teachers, coaches, athletes and practitioners, each chapter includes:

• an introduction to the imperative theoretical models of motor learning

• case studies and life examples that illustrate theoretical concepts that can be effectively applied to practical teaching, coaching, or motor learning settings

• project topics that integrate theory with practice

• clear illustrations, diagrams, and key components of concepts depicting the main ideas

Children love to play in risky—often misunderstood to mean unsafe—ways. It is often how they learn. Research shows that activities like climbing on trees and boulders, hiking in nature, and playing in a creek are excellent ways for kids to develop their creativity and their senses, because playing outdoors evokes different sights, sounds, smells, and textures. 

Letting Play Bloom analyzes five outstanding case studies of children’s nature-based risky play spaces—the Slide Hill at Governors Island in New York, the Berkeley (CA) Adventure Playground, and Wildwoods at Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, as well as sites in the Netherlands and Australia. Author Lolly Tai provides detailed explanations of their background and design, and what visitors can experience at each site. 

She also outlines the six categories of risky—not hazardous—play, which involve great heights, rapid speeds, dangerous tools, dangerous elements, rough-and-tumble play, and wandering or getting lost. These activities allow children to explore and challenge themselves (testing their limits) to foster greater self-worth while also learning valuable risk-management skills such as dealing with fear-inducing situations.

Filled with more than 200 photographs, Letting Play Bloom advocates for a thoughtful landscape design process that incorporates the specific considerations children need to fully experience the thrill that comes from playing in nature.

The value and placement of sport in society is significant and has created an extensive need for qualified practitioners. With over 800 academic programs of sport management in North America alone, there is a great demand for qualified educators in the field. As such, resources to support educational excellence are essential.

The Sport Management Educator: Strategies for Teaching provides a resource for those new to teaching and those seeking to improve instructional skills. Beginning with the fundamentals of brain-based learning, this text builds a strong foundation for teaching in sport management and enhances existing teaching practices and strategies to improve instructional elements such as planning, classroom management, course design, and student engagement.

Author Emily Dane-Staples draws on years of experience, skills, a solid foundation in the science of teaching and learning, and expertise to create this invaluable resource to help current and future sport management educators improve their instructional skills. This definitive source assists new and experienced instructors alike enhance foundational knowledge and improve teaching effectiveness.

The Sport Management Educator chapters focus on course planning, student success and engagement, teaching with technology, classroom management, course reflection and revision, assessment, and more. Practical tools help readers choose instructional options that align with their teaching philosophy, address their students’ needs, and enhance their ability to become more effective, successful educators.