Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

`This is simply the physical education book of its time. The editors must be congratulated on bringing together so many quality authors from so many different parts of the world. As a handbook, it represents how far the study of physical education has moved forward in recent times. What we have is a clear portrayal of physical education at the start of the 21st century′ - Mike Jess, University of Edinburgh

`This Handbook is a "must read" for all physical educators who are serious about understanding their subject and developing their practices. The list of authors involved reads like a "who′s who"′ of physical education at a global level - the editors are to be commended on bringing together such collective expertise - this is a key strength of the book. The Handbook successfully expresses a view of knowledge about physical education pedagogy which embraces different research traditions and emerging areas of interest across the global scholarly community′ - Jo Harris, Loughborough University

`This comprehensive and eclectic exploration into the field of physical education draws on the vast expertise of its renowned international contributors with astounding results. The Handbook of Physical Education serves to firmly reinstate physical education to its position as the core discipline of sport and exercise science. The Handbook is destined to become an indispensable academic resource for scholars, students and enthusiasts of physical education for years to come′ - Pilvikki Heikinaro-Johansson, University of Jyväskylä

What is the current condition of the field of physical education? How has it adapted to the rise of kinesiology, sport and exercise science and human movement studies over the last thirty years?

This Handbook provides an authoritative critical overview of the field and identifies future challenges and directions.

The Handbook is divided in to six parts:

- Perspectives and Paradigms in Physical Education Pedagogy Research;

- Cross-disciplinary Contributions to Research on Physical Education;

- Learners and Learning in Physical Education;

- Teachers, Teaching and Teacher Education in Physical Education;

- Physical Education Curriculum;

- Difference and Diversity in Physical Education.

This benchmark work is essential reading for educators and students in the field of physical education.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Part 1 Theoretical Perspectives in Physical Education Research
• The Philosophy, Science and Application of Behaviour Analysis in Physical Education
• Interpretive Perspectives in Physical Education Research
• Socially Critical Research Perspectives in Physical Education
• Physical Education Research from Postmodern, Poststructural and Postcolonial Perspectives
• Feminist Strands, Perspectives and Methodology for Research in Physical Education
• Part 2 Cross-Disciplinary Contributions to Research on Physical Education
• Philosophy and Physical Education
• The Sociology of Physical Education
• History of Physical Education
• Social Psychology and Physical Education
• Public Health and Physical Education
• Part 3 Learners and Learning in Physical Education
• Time and Learning in Physical Education
• The Classroom Ecology Paradigm
• Learner Cognition
• Constructivist Perspectives on Learning
• Situated Perspectives on Learning
• Learners and Popular Culture
• Development and Learning of Motor Skill Competencies
• Assessment for Learning in Physical Education
• Students' Perspectives of Physical Education
• Student Learning within the Didactique Tradition
• Part 4 Teachers, Teaching and Teacher Education in Physical Education
• Theoretical Orientations in Physical Education Teacher Education
• Models and Curricula of Physical Education Teacher Education
• Learning to Teach in the Field
• Induction of Beginning Physical Educators into the School Setting
• Teaching Styles and Inclusive Pedagogies
• The Way to a Teacher's Heart
• Narrative Research in Physical Education
• Teachers' Beliefs
• Teachers' Knowledge
• Coaching and Coach Education
• Physical Education Teacher Education (PE/TE) Policy
• Part 5 Physical Education Curriculum
• Curriculum Construction and Change
• Research into Elementary Physical Education Programs
• Sport Education
• A View of the Research
• Social and Individual Responsibility Programs
• Game-centred Approaches to Teaching Physical Education
• Physical Education and Youth Sport
• Health-related Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
• A Bio-Behavioural Perspective
• Adventure Education and Physical Education
• Teaching Dance in the Curriculum
• Part 6 Difference and Diversity in Physical Education
• Sexuality and Physical Education
• Race and Ethnicity in Physical Education
• Disability and Physical Education
• Girls and Physical Education
• More Art than Science? Boys, Masculinities and Physical Education Research
• Social Class and Physical Education

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Doune Macdonald is a professor and Head of the School of Human Movement Studies.Doune completed her undergraduate degree in Human Movement Studies at The University of Queensland before teaching health and physical education in primary and secondary schools. Professor Macdonald returned to UQ for her honours degree, obtained her PhD through Deakin University and rejoined the School in 1990. In 1998 she won an Australian Award for University Teaching. Professor Macdonald serves on the editorial boards of Teaching Education, Sport, Education and Society, and is Vice-President of AIESEP.Research interestsThe past decade has brought a number of changes to the field of health and physical education in the school and tertiary sector. Professor Macdonald′s research interests have attempted to understand these shifts through the lens of professional socialisation, discourse analysis and identity construction using predominantly qualitative methods. In particular, much of her work has addressed the challenges of curriculum reform and its impact upon teachers and teaching.More recently Professor Macdonald′s interests have moved outside the formal education sphere to broader questions of physical activity and young people with two funded projects looking at at-risk young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Currently the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, Queensland Health and the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs fund some of her research projects.

Professor Mary O′Sullivan joined the PESS department in 2005 and is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Prior to joining the PESS department, Mary was an Associate Dean for the College of Education at Ohio State University. Since joining the University of Limerick, Professor O′Sullivan has founded the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PEPAYS) Research Centre at the University of Limerick which has a growing group of postgraduate students and researchers conducting research related to physical education, youth sport, and physical activity. Mary graduated from the University of Limerick (then Thomond College of Education) with a BA in 1976, and subsequently was awarded a Master of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, Canada in 1980 and a PhD from Ohio State University in 1983.Professor Mary O′Sullivan joined the PESS department in 2005 and is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Prior to joining the PESS department, Mary was an Associate Dean for the College of Education at Ohio State University. Since joining the University of Limerick, Professor O′Sullivan has founded the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PEPAYS) Research Centre at the University of Limerick which has a growing group of postgraduate students and researchers conducting research related to physical education, youth sport, and physical activity. Mary graduated from the University of Limerick (then Thomond College of Education) with a BA in 1976, and subsequently was awarded a Master of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, Canada in 1980 and a PhD from Ohio State University in 1983.Professor Mary O′Sullivan joined the PESS department in 2005 and is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Prior to joining the PESS department, Mary was an Associate Dean for the College of Education at Ohio State University. Since joining the University of Limerick, Professor O′Sullivan has founded the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PEPAYS) Research Centre at the University of Limerick which has a growing group of postgraduate students and researchers conducting research related to physical education, youth sport, and physical activity. Mary graduated from the University of Limerick (then Thomond College of Education) with a BA in 1976, and subsequently was awarded a Master of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, Canada in 1980 and a PhD from Ohio State University in 1983.Professor Mary O′Sullivan joined the PESS department in 2005 and is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Prior to joining the PESS department, Mary was an Associate Dean for the College of Education at Ohio State University. Since joining the University of Limerick, Professor O′Sullivan has founded the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PEPAYS) Research Centre at the University of Limerick which has a growing group of postgraduate students and researchers conducting research related to physical education, youth sport, and physical activity. Mary graduated from the University of Limerick (then Thomond College of Education) with a BA in 1976, and subsequently was awarded a Master of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, Canada in 1980 and a PhD from Ohio State University in 1983