Working and learning in sport and fitness
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This key introductory Level 1 course is the first work-based learning module of the Foundation Degree and Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness (G10/E44) in which you apply ideas from your study to work, ideally in a sport or fitness environment. It will improve your effectiveness and awareness of professional issues at work. It is aimed at health and fitness instructors, sports coaches, junior leisure centre managers and those supporting in voluntary sports clubs. You will develop reflective skills and a sound understanding of the key principles and values underlying leading and motivating people. These include interpersonal communication, instructional skills and customer care.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | E113 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
This course is based on studying and developing the effectiveness of what you do in the workplace whether it is voluntary, part-time or paid work. The skills of work-based learning provide a stimulating link between degree study and working practice, with a chance to study issues that are particularly relevant to those instructing, coaching or leading others in a range of sport and fitness settings. The work-based study focuses your attention on questions such as ‘will this idea work in practice?’ And on a practical level, work-based study can lighten your study workload, as you can locate part of your learning in the work place.
The course has a different approach in that within each study theme described below there is the opportunity to identify which elements best apply to the work place and study these in more depth for your assessments. The five main study themes are:
- Encouraging and Maintaining Motivation – investigates how you and the people you interact with at work are motivated, and techniques that can be used to develop motivation
- Communicating Effectively – considers the elements of effective interpersonal communication skills and the different types of interaction between staff and customers in the workplace
- Leading People and Teams – evaluates the skills required to lead and influence people effectively in the workplace and the management of change
- Understanding and Enhancing Learning and Instruction– investigates the theory and practice of learning generally and specifically that of instructing physical skills
- You and Your Customers – identifies your customer segments, their expectations and how external communication with them can be most effective.
You will learn how to reflect and learn from work-based experiences, including observational and interview techniques.
This form of study is supported by a study guide, a website, a collection of topical readings and a DVD containing a range of related case studies. Most of the study guide is in print, but part is online. The online guide will direct you to electronic materials and work-related activities. This will be underpinned by tuition that will include active involvement with your tutor and access to online forums with a community of sport and fitness peers. The assessment of this course focuses on your learning and reflection of your practice.
Vocational relevance
This course is aimed at people working in sport and fitness wanting to develop their skills and/or career in the subject area. It forms fifty per cent of the Certificate of Higher Education in Sport, Fitness and Management, and twenty-five per cent of the Foundation Degree in Sport and Fitness.
The course is suitable for those working in appropriate settings throughout the UK. Students in Scotland may wish to consider linking to the Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness.
After using work-based learning on this course the general insights to the sector and greater self-awareness and communication skills will make you more employable. Other instructional qualifications may be needed for those wishing to instruct or coach professionally such as those required in the Level 2 work-based modules of the foundation degree: Science and theory into practice: sports coaching (EXC223) and Science and theory into practice: exercise instruction (EXF223).
Entry
This is a key introductory Level 1 course. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning to help you to progress to courses at Level 2.
There are no academic entry requirements for E113. The course is a broad introduction to working and learning in sport and fitness settings, and no assumptions are made about the knowledge or education you bring to it.
You don’t need experience of working in the sector prior to starting your studies. But you will find the course and the assignments much easier and more fulfilling if you can draw on employment experience (paid or unpaid) in the sector during your study.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
There are no formal qualification requirements for students joining the course. However, if you have no prior experience of higher education, or if you have not studied for some time, we would strongly advise you to make use of the OU’s wide range of introductory courses and packs.
You may wish to study the knowledge-based course Introduction to sport, fitness and management (E112) before studying E113, but this is not essential. E112 and E113 can be studied in either order.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course makes significant use of audio and video materials that are made available to students on DVD. These can be played on either a standard DVD player or a personal computer with a DVD drive.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
A study guide, course reader, DVD, an online assessment guide and study planner, and a website.
You will need
Either a domestic DVD player or a computer with a DVD drive.
Although it is not essential, we recommend that you have a broadband internet connection for this course in order to get the most out of the website activities and to participate in online tutorials.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
You will need a headset, with a microphone and earphones, to talk to your tutor and other students online during some of the course activities.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your assignments, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor will be particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. Contact with your tutor will be through the following methods:
- online tutorials, which we strongly encourage you to participate in since most students find these extremely useful
- online forum (email conference) within your tutor group
- personal email or telephone.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above. You are only required to complete four out of the five TMAs.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching and so you are required to complete it all. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | E113 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
This course is a fantastic source for developing your coaching skills and experience. There are 6 study topics ranging from ...
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The course team are delighted to hear that studying this course was such a positive experience. In order to further ...
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