Curriculum Coordinator and Learning Strategist

Dr. Karen McCloskey

MA, PhD, QM Quality Matters

PSK4U

Grade 12

University Preparation

Introductory Kinesiology

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

PSK4U

Grade 12

University Preparation

Introductory Kinesiology

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

Course Details

Course Code

PSK4U

Course Name

Introductory Kinesiology

Grade

Grade 12

Course Type

University Preparation

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

Any Grade 11 university or university/college preparation course in science, or any Grade 11 or 12 course in health and physical education

Tuition Fee

$500.00

Course Duration

At Your Own Pace (4 weeks to 12 months)

Credit Value

1.0

Availability

Start Anytime

Course Reviser/Developer

Dr. Karen McCloskey

Latest Revision Date

August 2024

Curriculum

PSK4U – The Ontario Curriculum, Health and Physical Education, Grades 9 to 12, 2015 (revised)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course focuses on the study of human movement and of systems, factors, and principles involved in human development. Students will learn about the effects of physical activity on health and performance, the evolution of physical activity and sport, and the physiological, psychological, and social factors that influence an individual’s participation in physical activity and sport. The course prepares students for university programs in physical education and health, kinesiology, health sciences, health studies, recreation, and sports administration.

Prerequisite: Any Grade 11 university or university/college preparation course in science, or any Grade 11 or 12 course in health and physical education

Outlined below is a description of each unit, including what students will learn and the recommended hours for completion.

Unit Title & Description

Time Allocated

Unit 1: The Evolution of Sport – How Physical Activity Shaped Society

This unit takes you on a journey through time, exploring how sports and physical activity have shaped and been shaped by society. You’ll dive into the history of sport, learn about key events and figures that changed the game, and explore the economic and cultural impacts of sports on our lives today. Activities include interactive simulations and case studies that make history come alive, helping you understand how past trends influence modern sports.

11 Hours

Unit 2: The Power of Participation – Breaking Barriers and Building Benefits

Discover what drives people to get involved in physical activity and how it benefits both individuals and society. In this unit, you’ll explore the factors that influence participation in sports, from personal motivation to the design of our cities. You’ll also consider how social and cultural barriers can impact access to sports and physical activity. Interactive maps, case studies, and videos will help you understand the wide-ranging benefits of staying active, both for yourself and your community.

10 Hours

Unit 3: Inside the Body – Unveiling the Anatomy and Physiology of Movement

Get ready to explore the human body like never before. This unit delves into the muscles, bones, and systems that make movement possible. Through detailed 3D simulations and interactive activities, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how your body works, from muscle contractions to energy production. You’ll also examine the effects of exercise on the body, both immediately and over time, learning what it takes to stay fit and healthy.

14 Hours

Unit 4: Training for Excellence – Enhancing Human Performance

What does it take to be a top athlete? In this unit, you’ll explore the principles of training and the factors that influence athletic performance. You’ll design your own training program, analyze how environmental conditions like altitude can affect performance, and learn how proper nutrition fuels success. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, you’ll see how small changes in training and diet can lead to big results.

13 Hours

Unit 5: The Mechanics of Movement – Mastering Biomechanics

Learn the science behind every move you make. This unit introduces you to the principles of biomechanics, showing you how physics applies to sports and everyday activities. You’ll explore how forces, motion, and leverage work together to create movement, and you’ll analyze real-world examples to see how athletes use biomechanics to improve their performance. Interactive simulations will help you visualize complex concepts and apply them to your own activities.

14 Hours

Unit 6: Lifespan Movement – Growth, Development, and Skill Acquisition

From infancy to old age, our ability to move changes dramatically. In this unit, you’ll explore the stages of growth and motor development, learning how our bodies and skills evolve over time. You’ll design activities for different age groups and learn how feedback and practice help us acquire and refine new skills. Whether you’re interested in coaching, teaching, or just understanding your own abilities better, this unit will give you valuable insights into human development.

12 Hours

Unit 7: The Role of Nutrition in Athletic Performance

Nutrition is a key player in athletic success. This unit explores how what you eat affects your energy levels, endurance, and overall performance. You’ll track your nutritional intake, learn about different energy systems, and examine the role of supplements and performance aids. Through interactive activities and real-world case studies, you’ll gain a practical understanding of how to fuel your body for peak performance.

12 Hours

Unit 8: Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation – Staying Strong and Healthy

Injuries are a part of sports, but they don’t have to sideline you for long. This unit focuses on how to prevent injuries and recover quickly when they happen. You’ll learn about common sports injuries, explore strategies for staying safe, and develop a personalized injury prevention plan. Interactive simulations will let you practice rehabilitation techniques and see how proper recovery can get you back in the game faster.

12 Hours

Final Exam

Comprehensive assessment of all specific expectations covered in the course. Activities and Assessments: Cumulative final exam to assess overall understanding and application of course concepts.

20 Hours

Total Hours

120 Hours

Teaching and Learning Strategies

At Royal Ontario Academy, our asynchronous, self-paced courses are crafted to engage students actively, encouraging deep learning and self-reflection. Our online OSSD courses are normally divided into 8-10 smaller sections to help students learn content in manageable portions. Lessons connect concepts to practical, relatable social, environmental, and economic issues, fostering lifelong learning by helping students apply knowledge to real-life contexts.

Students are encouraged to explore, investigate, and think critically as they progress independently. This approach emphasizes problem-solving skills, guiding students to persist through challenges, reason through complex ideas, and explore alternative solutions on their own, building resilience and independence essential for success beyond the classroom.

Our virtual high school courses provide a variety of learning experiences through virtual labs, simulations, knowledge checks, reflections, and videos. Interactive activities and discussion forums are designed to draw on students prior knowledge, keeping them engaged and actively participating. These tools enable OSSD students to practice, reflect, and apply concepts flexibly at their own pace, creating a personalized learning journey tailored to each student’s interests and goals.

Assessment and Evaluation

A wide variety of assessment and evaluation tools will be used to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Royal Ontario Academy including quizzes, tests, projects, essays, journals, and final assessments.
The final exam is a closed book, online test that is proctored and has a time limit. Students may also be required to appear on video for other assessments in certain courses.

All OSSD courses follow a simple evaluation breakdown at our virtual high school:
70% of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted throughout the online course. The remaining 30% of the grade will be based on a final evaluation or exam. This may be a final exam, a final project/report, or a combination of both an exam and a project.

Students will receive two reports per course:

First Mid Term Report: Reflects achievement and development after the first 4 Units.

Final Report: Reflects overall achievement and development for the entire course.

According to Growing Success First Edition, Grades 1 to 12, 2010, the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, and that they lead to the improvement of learning for all students, Royal Ontario Academy teachers use practices and procedures that:

are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit;
are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students;
are communicated clearly to students and parents at the beginning of the school year or course and at other appropriate points throughout the school year or course;
are ongoing, varied in nature, and administered over a period of time to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the full range of their learning;
provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement;
develop students’ self-assessment skills to enable them to assess their own learning, set specific goals, and plan next steps for their learning.

Accommodations and IEP for Students

At Royal Ontario Academy, we believe that all OSSD students can benefit from a more accommodating online learning experience Accommodations allow for increased access to the course, without any changes to the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP)is a personalized document that outlines a student’s learning needs, as well as the accommodations or services they require to succeed in their courses. At Royal Ontario Academy, our flexible online learning environment already addresses many common accommodation needs, but if a student requires additional support, our Principal is ready to help you!

– Students with Existing IEP: If a student has an existing IEP from another elementary or secondary school, Royal Ontario Academy can implement the listed accommodations, provided they are applicable within our online learning environment. To do so, a copy of the student’s IEP must be submitted to our Principal for review.

– Students Without IEP: If a student requires accommodations but does not currently have an IEP, our Principal will work with the student to assess their learning needs and develop a path forward. In this case, students will need to submit supporting documentation to help determine the appropriate accommodations.

– English Language Learners:– English Language Learners: Students who enroll at Royal Ontario Academy can provide information about their English language proficiency during the registration process. This information helps our teachers and Principal to tailor their teaching strategies and implement accommodations that support English language learners effectively.

For students and parents wishing to submit IEP documentation or request accommodations, please contact our Principal at info@royalontarioacademy.com

Resources Required by the Student

Students should have the following minimum hardware and software requirements to access the Advanced Functions
Minimum Technical Specifications

Hardware

A PC running Windows XP or higher or
A Mac running OS X or
A Chromebook running Chrome OS
2GB of RAM
High speed internet connection
A sound card with speakers or headphones
A functional webcam and microphone

Software

Adobe Reader
Java
A typical Office Suite including a word processor application, equation editor and spreadsheets

Browser

Mozilla Firefox4 or higher or
Internet Explorer 7 or higher or
Safari 5 or higher or
Google Chrome 11 or higher
In some cases, a scanner or phone/camera may be used to submit handwritten assignments.

Do students need any additional resources (i.e. textbooks)?

Every student in a virtual high school needs access to a desktop computer or laptop with high-speed internet and word processing software.

Any additional course-specific resources (i.e., calculators, software downloads, etc.) are listed on the individual course outline pages on our website.

All Royal Ontario Academy online course content is contained within our moodle learning management system, so no textbooks are required. For English courses and some social science/humanities courses, students may be required to locate copies of novels and plays that are readily available at public libraries or bookstores.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is PSK4U?
PSK4U is a Grade 12 Introductory Kinesiology course at University Preparation level.

2. What are 4U – (eg: 3M in AWQ3M (PSK4U))
4U for the PSK4U refers to the grade level and the course type. 4 refers to the 12th Grade and the second digit refers to the University Preparation course type.

3. What is the prerequisite for PSK4U?
The prerequisite for Introductory Kinesiology is Any Grade 11 university or university/college preparation course in science, or any Grade 11 or 12 course in health and physical education

4. How long does it take to complete the PSK4U online course?
The completion of the PSK4U course varies depending on the availability and pace of each student. However, the course can be completed in minimum of 4 weeks to maximum of 12 months.

5. Will my marks be sent directly to OUAC or OCAS?
Yes. We can send your PSK4U online course marks to OUAC (Ontario University’ Application Centre) or OCAS (Ontario College Application Service).

6. How lessons are delivered for the PSK4U?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is asynchronously delivered for the PSK4U in various formats such as videos, question and answers, interactive tools, written notes, simulations, presentations, and external websites/links depending on the subject material of the course.

7. What is the withdrawal policy?
For students registered in Grade 9 and 10 courses, withdrawals can be made at any time and are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).
For students registered in Grade 11 and 12 courses, withdrawals made within 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid-term) report card from Royal Ontario Academy will result in the mark not being recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Withdrawals after 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid term) report card will result in a “”W”” being entered in the “”Credit”” column of the OST, along with the mark at the time of withdrawal.

8. What is the due date of my course?
Since your course is self-paced, there are no set due dates, allowing you to progress at your own speed. However, please be mindful of any deadlines for university or college applications.

9. Can I earn my OSSD (Ontario secondary school diploma) credits through online courses?
Yes, you can earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits fully online through Royal Ontario Academy. To earn OSSD credits, you will need to complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional), pass Introductory Kinesiology Test, and fulfill 40 hours of community involvement.

Price Detail

$500

/ 1 Course

$800

/ 2 Course

$1050

/ 3 Course

Start your learning journey with us.

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Introductory Kinesiology