Working and Learning in Sport and Fitness

Welcome to SPM B213 Working and Learning in Sport and Fitness.

This course is a 20-credit, two-term, middle-level course for undergraduate students offered by the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration.

The course considers the skills and concepts that are needed to maximise performances in sport and fitness working roles by developing effective practices. The course comprises several different types of study resource, both in print and online, including the study units, readings, multimedia learning materials and activities. These materials will help you master the course over a period of around 32 weeks.

Purpose of this Course Guide

The Course Guide tells you briefly what the course is about, and how you can work your way through the material. It suggests the amount of time you will likely need to spend in order to complete the course, and it gives you a general idea of when your tutor-marked assignments are due. For detailed information on assignments, however, please refer to the Assignment File, and for information on due dates and cut-offs for work to be submitted, please refer to the Course Schedule (both of these are available on the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Course aims

This course is designed to promote your knowledge and skills in working and learning in sport and fitness. It focuses on aspects of sports management such as motivation, communication, leadership and ways to enhance learning and instruction, all of which enrich your understanding and experience in the management of sport and fitness environments.

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Analyse the roles and competences required by an effective practitioner in sport and fitness environments, examine the importance of reflective practice as a means of improving effectiveness in learning and in the workplace, and apply this kind of practice to sport and fitness activities.
• Discuss how people are motivated and the factors affecting motivation, particularly, in the context of different sport and fitness environments.
• Discuss the importance of effective communication in sport and fitness settings and outline the importance of valuing diversity when communicating with others.
• Identify the values and ethics that underpin leadership and the role of leaders in maintaining clear standards of moral behaviour, and discuss how leaders can enhance the way in which individuals and teams work effectively together.
• Evaluate the experience, knowledge and skills that underpin good practice and apply theory to practice in training, instructional and coaching roles.Discuss the types of knowledge relevant to your role in the workplace and to demonstrate an understanding of how to plan, manage and communicate your own learning.Analyse customers' expectations and communicate effectively with them, and understand how to develop effective facility and work schedules that meet customer needs.

The following table provides a general overview of the course structure.

The learning outcomes are related to the above units as follows:

The course is structured so that each unit builds upon previous knowledge. Each unit contains various different ways to help you study. You are advised to:

1. Read the study unit.
2. Read the supplementary readings and study the multimedia learning materials that accompany the unit.
3. Test your comprehension and analytical skills by working through the activities that appear throughout the unit.
4. Complete the assignments.
5. Keep in mind the key questions raised in the units as you read articles and hear of events and commentaries through television, radio, or the Internet.

In addition to this Course Guide, you will receive or be granted access to the following important course components from HKMU:

1. six study units;
2. supplementary readings related to each unit;
3. multimedia learning materials related to each unit; and
4. the Assignment File.

Study units

There are six units in SPM B213 Working and Learning in Sport and Fitness. Each unit consists of three to six weeks' worth of part-time work. It is essential for you to complete your assignments on time.

The study units outline the key concepts of each section, summarize key issues, explain the relevant theories and practices, and comment on related readings and multi-media learning materials. Each unit contains activities to reinforce your assimilation of the issues under discussion. In addition, the tutor-marked assignments will provide you with feedback.

The units are as follows.

Unit 1: Learning in sport and fitness environments
Unit 2: Developing and maintaining motivation
Unit 3: Communicating effectively
Unit 4: Leading people and teams
Unit 5: Understanding and enhancing learning and instruction
Unit 6: Sport and fitness customers

Please note that you might not receive all of the study units at once.

Readings

You will be instructed in the study units to read chapters in the Course Reader or articles and other supplementary materials. These will be made available via the course OLE, the HKMU iBookcase app and the HKMU E-Library.

The Course Reader contains a range of chapters from different authors. These chapters have been chosen to address in greater depth topics introduced in the study units. These readings will help you to develop your skills and knowledge.

E-Library E-Reserve

You may be instructed to read articles or watch videos in the E-Library E-Reserve. To access these items, go to the University's E-Library and click on 'E-Reserve'. Log in, click 'Accept/Agree' on the Copyright Restrictions page, fill in the 'Course Code' box, and click 'Search'.

Multimedia materials

The multimedia materials including video and audio provide illustrations of practice in a variety of different settings. These materials are explored as part of the activities within the study units. They will help you explore issues from a wide range of perspectives and will bring to life some of the material from the units and the Course Reader in interesting real-life scenarios. They will be made available via the course OLE.

Online Learning Environment

This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find course materials such as the video and audio clips, the Fitville Sports Centre, the course online discussion forum and the latest course information from the OLE.

To help with teaching the course a fictional sports centre called 'Fitville Sports Centre' has been developed. You will find this resource on the course website, along with its layout and details of the staff who work there. It will be used throughout the course to illustrate points, develop case studies and scenarios and address current issues, all of which have been carefully researched and checked to be as authentic as possible. As you move through the course, you will be introduced to the cast of staff (such as coaches, trainers and managers) and customers, as well as finding out about the facilities available and how the centre operates.

The course's online discussion forum and the forum activities in the study units are designed for you to to discuss ideas with others or share your opinions on a topic. As such, it is vital that you engage with the forum and contribute.

Through the OLE, you can also communicate with your tutors, the Course Coordinator and other students. For details about the OLE and how to access it, please refer to the Online Learning Environment User Guide.

Assignment File

Assignment details for this course are contained in your Assignment File. The nature of these assignments is described in the 'Tutor-marked assignments' section below. You are required to complete your assignments and submit them through the Online Learning Environment (OLE) to your tutor in accordance with the course schedule.

Course schedule

A course schedule is available on the OLE. In it, you will see the times by which your tutor should receive your assignments. Please note that you must submit all your assignments by the dates shown.

Learning support

You will be supported throughout the course by regular learning sessions in the form of tutorials, supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos) and workshops. Details of the dates and times of these sessions can be found in the schedules provided on the OLE.

You should pay particular attention to this Course Guide and live online tutorials and workshops, You should also attend all your supplementary lectures, tutorials and surgeries, where you will meet other 'distant' learners.

Study units

You must read the study units carefully, as they guide your learning and tell you how to approach any assignment related to the unit. Otherwise, you might miss important information. You must read both the study units and the readings. They are not alternatives. Moreover, you should also read articles in newspapers and journals and other books related to the topics. Don't forget to read online too. The more widely you read, the better your appreciation and understanding of the course.

Non-assessed activities

You will come across non-assessed activities in each of the study units. These are designed to help you remember and apply what you have learned, and to prepare you for your assignments and examination. The activity questions provide you with immediate feedback on your understanding of the subject matter just learned. By answering these questions and referring to the comments/feedback provided, you can check your progress accordingly. However, you should attempt all questions before referring to the comments/feedback.

Checking understanding

While you are doing your study, please keep in mind the objectives of each study unit. After you have finished the unit, check whether you have achieved the set objectives. If you encounter any problems, please make a note of them and talk to your tutor as soon as possible.

This course is designed to help you progress easily from the required readings to the assignments and examination. You will be required to apply the information and techniques learned during the course when doing the assignments. The assignments must be submitted to your tutor for formal assessment in accordance with the deadlines stated in the Assignment File. The non-assessed activity questions are not part of your formal assessment, but these should be done before you progress to the assignments.

Tutor-marked assignments

Four assignments have been set for this course. You must submit all assignments to your tutor for marking. You are advised to read other sources, in addition to the materials covered in the study units, when you are working through your assignments.

How to do your assignments

For each assignment, please read through the tasks and the instructions accompanying the question in the Assignment File. Please read each task carefully and make sure you understand what is required before attempting it.

You must be careful when you are using other references in the research for your assignments. If you commit plagiarism, you will be penalized severely. Plagiarism is theft of somebody else's work or ideas. This applies just as much to using work of other students as it does to authors of books. However, you may include parenthetical references to the works you cite, e.g. (Stott 1998, p. 38). You should include a section at the end of your assignment called 'References' where the full name, title, date and place of the publication appear. The way to cite a reference is:

Stott, V (1998) Hong Kong Company Law, 8th edition, Hong Kong: Financial Times Pitman Publishing.

How to submit assignments

You must use word processing software (such as Microsoft Word) to prepare the assignments, and submit the assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE). All assignments must be uploaded to the OLE by the due date.

Failure to upload an assignment in the required format to the OLE may result in the score of the assignment being adjusted to zero.

Assignment submission extension policy

The assignment policy of the University as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your Course Coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances.

Applications for extensions must be submitted online via the OLE. Please note the following:

1. Supporting documents must be submitted to justify applications for extensions of over seven days.
2. Applications for extensions should normally be lodged before or on the due date.
3. Applications are considered by:
   • your tutor for extensions of up to seven days;
   • the Course Coordinator for extensions of 8 to 21 days; and
   • the Dean for extensions of over 21 days.

After an assignment is submitted via the OLE, it is your responsibility to check that the assignment has been successfully submitted. Extension applications due to any problem with uploading will not be accepted. The University cannot accept any responsibility for assignments that are not received by your tutor due to any problem with submission via the OLE. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit.

According to the University's policy, no extension of the due date will be allowed for the final assignment. This policy will be strictly enforced. Any late submission of the final assignment will result in the score of the assignment being adjusted to zero.

Assignment schedule

Final examination and grading

The final examination for this course will be of two hours' duration and will count for 40% of the total course grade. You should use the time between finishing the last unit and the examination to review the entire course. You might find it useful to review the activity questions, assignments, and your tutor's comments on them before sitting for the examination. You will be advised of examination arrangements after you send in your examination registration card.

The final examination covers information from all parts of the course.

Marking scheme for assessment

The pass mark for each assignment is 40. To pass this course, students must pass both the assignments component and the final examination..

Your tutor will mark and comment on your assignments. He/she will keep an eye on your progress and assist you if you encounter problems during the course. Marked assignments will be returned to you as soon as possible. It is a good practice to keep a copy of each assignment submitted for marking so that you can always refer to any queries with the tutor during a telephone conversation. Please contact your tutor should any of the following arise:

1. You do not understand any part of the study units or the assigned readings.
2. You have any difficulty with self-tests.
3. You have a question or problem with the assignments, or with your tutor's comments or grading on an assignment.

Apart from self-study, supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos), live online tutorials as well as workshops will be organized to assist you in your learning process. Details of the dates and times of the learning sessions, as well as the name and phone number of your tutor, will be sent to you in due course.

It is strongly recommended that you watch all these supplementary lectures, and attend all the live online tutorials and workshops because they will provide considerable assistance in your study of this course. Moreover, you will have the chance to meet with other distance learners who are studying at HKMU.

Lesson policy

Live online tutorials and workshops will start on time. If a teacher fails to turn up 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time, students may assume that the session is cancelled and they should report the case to the Course Coordinator so that a make-up session can be arranged.

If you wish to defer your studies of this course until a later date, you should apply for deferment of studies. For the regulations governing deferment of studies, please refer to your Student Handbook. If you have applied for deferment of studies you should continue with your studies of this course and submit the required assignments until formal approval is given by the University. 

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