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If it were more about physical education (literally) and had less emphasis on actually doing intense exercises I think it would be a lot more beneficial. Leave

by mfoy_ 8y ago

If it were more about physical education (literally) and had less emphasis on actually doing intense exercises I think it would be a lot more beneficial. Leave the crazy intense physical activities to extracurriculars. No personal trainer would create a one-size-fits-all training routine, but for some young students that's literally the entirety of what "gym class" entails. By Physical Education, I mean learn about basic health issues, commons diseases and symptoms to look out for, learn the importance of diet and exercise, standard first aid, that kind of thing.

satokema 8y ago
Even the physical activity isn't bad - but it's completely unfocused. One week you're running laps, the next you're playing random ball games. You learn a little about stuff in the weight room, but not enough where you can run a good routine after the fact. At no point is there any option of "hey, let's tailor a fitness goal and plan for you to stick to for the majority of your life". But then again, the goal of schools isn't to maximize pleb fitness, right?
- mfoy_ 8y ago
  I'm pretty sure the purpose of the modern gym curriculum is to create more meat for the college-football grinder.
  - chrsstrm 8y ago
    No. Athletes aren’t discovered in gym class, they are recruited to play in middle school. Unless you transferred in from some other school, the coaches already know who you are and what position they want you to play. [edit] and to clarify, I’m talking about high school coaches, not college.
  - arkitaip 8y ago
    Modern P.E. (and many sports) goes back to at least antiquity where the need for militarization in society was greater. Military training has set the standard for exercise and sports because it provided an established system of collective activities and clear outcomes to promote strength, discipline and collaboration. Qualities that any military force needs.
    - dragonwriter 8y ago
      > Modern P.E. (and many sports) goes back to at least antiquity where the need for militarization in society was greater. Honestly, even without the need, it would probably be better if modern PE was structured with the intent of preparing students as much as individually practical for participation in the universal militia, even if we know to a relative high degree of certaintt that those who don't volunteer are unlikely to be called to serve, with a curriculum cooperatively designed by experts in child physical development, child intellectual and social development, and modern military operations and civil emergency operations. As it is, it seems to be an unfocussed and poorly directed afterthought that remains around because eliminating it would offend people, but without a strong purpose or any concern from policy makers except firefighting reacting to problems that emerge as the unmaintained structure clashes with evolving social values.

by mfoy_ 8y ago

satokema 8y ago

Even the physical activity isn't bad - but it's completely unfocused. One week you're running laps, the next you're playing random ball games. You learn a little about stuff in the weight room, but not enough where you can run a good routine after the fact. At no point is there any option of "hey, let's tailor a fitness goal and plan for you to stick to for the majority of your life". But then again, the goal of schools isn't to maximize pleb fitness, right?

mfoy_ 8y ago
I'm pretty sure the purpose of the modern gym curriculum is to create more meat for the college-football grinder.
- chrsstrm 8y ago
  No. Athletes aren’t discovered in gym class, they are recruited to play in middle school. Unless you transferred in from some other school, the coaches already know who you are and what position they want you to play. [edit] and to clarify, I’m talking about high school coaches, not college.
- arkitaip 8y ago
  Modern P.E. (and many sports) goes back to at least antiquity where the need for militarization in society was greater. Military training has set the standard for exercise and sports because it provided an established system of collective activities and clear outcomes to promote strength, discipline and collaboration. Qualities that any military force needs.
  - dragonwriter 8y ago
    > Modern P.E. (and many sports) goes back to at least antiquity where the need for militarization in society was greater. Honestly, even without the need, it would probably be better if modern PE was structured with the intent of preparing students as much as individually practical for participation in the universal militia, even if we know to a relative high degree of certaintt that those who don't volunteer are unlikely to be called to serve, with a curriculum cooperatively designed by experts in child physical development, child intellectual and social development, and modern military operations and civil emergency operations. As it is, it seems to be an unfocussed and poorly directed afterthought that remains around because eliminating it would offend people, but without a strong purpose or any concern from policy makers except firefighting reacting to problems that emerge as the unmaintained structure clashes with evolving social values.