Sport, Physical Education & Health Sciences (SPEHS)
Dr Malcolm Thorburn
Lecturer in Physical Education
Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (SPEHS)
Email: malcolm.thorburn@ed.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)131 651 6655
Location:
St Leonard's LandBackground
- BEd (Hons) Physical Education (Jordanhill College; Scottish School of Physical Education)
- MEd Education (Aberdeen University)
- PhD Physical Education (University of Edinburgh)
After teaching extensively in secondary schools and occupying a number of curriculum development roles at local authority and national level, my Ph.D research focus was on the conceptual, pedagogical and assessment issues associated with examination awards in physical education. Part of the research involved analysing the coherence of the rationales advanced for examination awards, as these were often based on a rather untested series of assumptions. This research triggered a wider interest in philosophical ideas in education and the extent to which coherent ideas and values underpin policy aspirations and pedagogical advice. My most recent research is on reviewing experiential learning opportunities and challenges in outdoor learning, and the nature of the integration planned between physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing when physical education is cast as a key component of school health and well-being agendas. Additionally, I have a research interest on the lives and careers of veteran teachers in terms of understanding better the factors influencing their resilience and commitment, and their views on professional development more widely.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss associated research ideas with students considering Ph.D awards and with colleagues interested in shared writing projects.
Principal interests
- knowledge representation in practical learning environments
- the aims and intentions of physical education in schools
- outdoor learning in schools
- the careers of veteran teachers
- curriculum change in physical education and health and wellbeing
- conceptions of well-being
Current and recent research
Publications
Publications list for Dr Malcolm Thorburn
This article was published on Oct 18, 2012