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2026-2027 / EDPH9111-1

Educational differentiation in physical education

Duration

10h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Master of education, Section 4: Physical education2 crédits 

Lecturer

Maurine Remacle

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course unit aims to prepare future teachers to design and implement physical education instruction that effectively addresses student diversity. Drawing on research findings, concrete examples, practical activities, and the analysis of professional situations, students develop the skills needed to adapt their teaching to each learner's needs.

The main topics covered include:

  • Differentiation strategies: adapting tasks, equipment, instructions, organizational arrangements, didactic variables, success criteria, and feedback.
  • The foundations of differentiated instruction in physical education.
  • Analysis of the barriers encountered by different student profiles in learning situations.
  • The main pedagogical approaches that support differentiation.
  • Special educational needs (ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders) and their implications for physical education.
  • Adapting learning situations to different student profiles.
  • Reflective analysis of situations experienced during teaching placements.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aim of this course is to enable students to develop the skills required to implement inclusive physical education by designing learning situations adapted to student diversity.

By the end of this course unit, students will be able to:

  • Understand the theoretical foundations and key issues of differentiated instruction in physical education;
  • Identify the barriers that different student profiles may encounter during motor learning situations;
  • Select and justify appropriate adaptations to support the learning of all students;
  • Apply different pedagogical models according to the learning objectives and the characteristics of the class;
  • Take special educational needs into account when planning, organizing, and delivering physical education lessons;
  • Critically analyze their professional practice and propose areas for improvement based on situations encountered during teaching placements;
  • Adopt a reflective approach that supports the continuous development of their professional skills.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

This course builds on the knowledge acquired in didactics and pedagogy courses, as well as on the skills developed through practical activities and teaching placements.

Students are expected to draw in particular on their knowledge of:

  • The design of learning situations in physical education;
  • The general principles of pedagogical intervention;
  • The observation and analysis of student learning;
  • Group management and the assessment of learning outcomes.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Sessions alternate between theoretical instruction and practical workshops, fostering connections between scientific concepts and their application in real-world teaching contexts.

The proposed activities include:

  • Interactive lectures based on research findings;
  • Practical experimentation with learning situations;
  • Collaborative analysis of motor learning situations;
  • Small-group activities aimed at identifying the barriers encountered by different student profiles and developing appropriate pedagogical adaptations;
  • Group discussions and critical reflection on the didactic choices made;
  • Analysis of authentic situations drawn from students' teaching placements.
Particular attention is given to developing a reflective approach that enables students to justify and articulate their pedagogical decisions.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Attendance is mandatory, and classes are held in person.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Written work / report


Further information:

Assessment focuses on students' engagement in the proposed activities, their analytical skills, and their mastery of the concepts covered throughout the course unit.

It includes:

  • Active participation in reflective activities and practical workshops;
  • The analysis and description of a situation encountered during a teaching placement, highlighting issues related to differentiated instruction;
  • A written examination, including a case analysis designed to assess students' ability to apply course concepts to professional situations;
  • Students will not be permitted to take the written examination if the required attendance rate has not been met.
Students' attention is also drawn to compliance with administrative requirements, with any failure to meet these requirements subject to penalties.

The assessment procedures and requirements are presented to students on the first day of the course.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The organization and/or content of this course will be communicated to students during the first class session.

The guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence tools will also be presented during the first class.

Contacts

Maurine REMACLE

Département des Sciences de l'Activité physique et de la Réadaptation.

Allée des Sports, 4, 4000 LIEGE

Tél bureau : 04/366.39.33

E-mail : Maurine.Remacle@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs