Innovative sports education degree launched in Toowoomba

USQ Education student Dimity Motley dreams of becoming a physical education teacher in St George.

'I don’t really mind where I end up, but St George would be nice for a start,' she said. 'I live in Crows Nest and like the country areas.'

With this week’s launch of a innovative new sports-focused Education degree, Dimity’s plans are one step closer to becoming a reality.

Close to 100 guests attended the official Toowoomba launch of the new Bachelor of Education (Sport, Health and Physical Education) at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre on June 8, including Toowoomba North MP Kerry Shine, University staff and USQ students.

The Faculty of Education course is believed to be the only one of its kind in Australia that can be completed fully online.

Physical Educator and Program Coordinator, Associate Professor Ken Edwards, said the program provided a great opportunity for students everywhere.

'Students can study on-campus at Toowoomba, Fraser Coast or Springfield, or study externally from anywhere in Australia or overseas,' Associate Professor Edwards said.

'We will use the latest technology to give online students the same high level of lecturer interaction that makes USQ the university of choice for students undertaking Education degrees.

'Webstreaming of lectures, virtual classrooms, video and You Tube clips along with interactive discussion forums will enable online students to have the full classroom and tutorial experience that on-campus students receive, without ever setting foot on a campus.'

Students will develop practical skills through involvement in coaching and similar accreditation courses that value-add to teaching degrees.

Dimity, who is now in her second year at University, is keen to do some of the new course specialisations to complement her studies in Secondary Education.

'I’m majoring in PE and Mathematics and this course looks incredibly comprehensive,' she said.