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Recreation Professors Editors and Authors of Therapeutic Recreation Textbook
Dr. Terry Robertson, Chair of HPERD and Dr. Terry Long Associate Professor have co-edited a textbook and co-authored a number of the chapters in the book entitled, Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation. Dr. Alice Foose an Assistant Professor and a departmental colleague of Robertson and Longs', also co-authored a chapter entitled "Therapeutic Recreation and Developmental Disabilities". Dr. Sue Myllykangas another Northwest recreation professor also contributed to the overall effort by creating a supporting instructor's guide. The textbook copyrighted 2008 was released by Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois.
Complete information available at www.HumanKinetics.com/FoundationsofTherapeuticRecreation.
According to the publisher and various professional organizations, there has been a need of a solid and in depth introductory textbook in the relatively new occupation of therapeutic recreation (TR). The seventeen chapter hardback book includes topics ranging from historical perspectives of the professional to models and modalities of practice through the life span, as well as, politics and legislation. This book is recommended as not only an introduction to the TR major, but also as a resource guide which includes helpful activities that support concepts throughout the text.
The role of this book is to not only meet the needs of the therapeutic recreation community, but this textbook also allows others wanting to enhance their understanding and development of varied teaching pedagogy to meet all learner needs. It is a must read.
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Satellite Fitness Centers are Launched on Campus
The Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (HPERD) department is continuing the commitment to promote health and fitness with the students at Northwest Missouri State University. In collaboration with Residential Life, HPERD has opened new satellite fitness centers in Phillips Hall and South Complex to meet the needs of students.
The new centers and the main center located in Lamkin Activity Center, offer a variety of training options. Fitness Center members have the opportunity to participate in group exercise classes, personal training, and fitness assessment. With new renovations and equipment, each center offers aerobic exercise machines, free weights, and selector weight machines.
The Northwest Missouri State Fitness Centers make it possible for HPERD department majors to apply knowledge through real life work experience by leading group exercise classes, personal training, and the daily operations of each center. The HPERD department will continue to be a leader in health and fitness promotion on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.
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Exploring Recreation Resources: An Experiential Class
Most Northwest Missouri State University students studying Parks & Recreation have limited in-depth knowledge or exposure to the field. There are three different tracks offered in the Northwest Recreation Program that students might study: Therapeutic Recreation, Corporate Recreation and Wellness, or Parks & Recreation Management. As a way to introduce students to the various careers within the field of Parks & Recreation, Dr. Susan Myllykangas and Dr. Alice Foose designed a two week experiential course that shows students a variety of venues in which they might choose to work following graduation. The course has proven to be a huge success with students who continually talk about the class and the experiences they shared together. Faculty in the department report seeing an improvement in class participation and understanding of information by the students who have completed the experiential course.
In the summer of 2007 eleven undergraduates and 1 graduate student traveled to Colorado and toured such venues as Coor's Field, the Pepsi Center, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Denver, and many other sites. As part of an Improvement in Teaching and Learning grant, students used digital cameras to document each venue, compared and contrasted them, and applied core course information to their experiences on the trip to design a final powerpoint presentation. Students were then able to have an "archive" of photos to use in courses and/or future presentations.
Last summer a group of 13 undergraduate students once again traveled to Colorado for the two week course. Students used the cameras to document their experiences however this time the students completed a 40 item "treasure hunt" of core competencies that they observed while touring the venues. This assignment created a summary study guide for the students' comprehensive examination given in their Senior Seminar class. Sites for this trip included: Copper Mountain Ski Area, the Rocky Mountain Senior Games, the Littleton YMCA, the City of Aurora Parks & Recreation program, an Inclusive Playground at the former Stapleton Airport site, and more venues that totaled 22 sites in all.
The 2009 trip is being planned and will once more travel to Colorado for a "Best of the Best" tour of sites that former students enjoyed. Anyone interested in participating in this 3 credit course should contact Dr. Susan Myllykangas at susanm@nwmissouri.edu.
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HPERD Facilities Move into Technology
Look out here come the PVC's on the EKG presented by ITV. What is that all about? What happened to the old PE where the 4 R's of PE were taught- (by too many but by all) "Take Roll, Roll out the ball, Read the paper and Rest on a rock." Take another look. In the last year the HPERD department faculty have acquired several new technologies that will further their research and teaching capacity and assist undergraduate and graduate students in the health, physical education, recreation, dance and coaching areas.
To start with an Improvement of Teaching and Learning grant was secured by Matt Symonds to purchase the Tri-Fit software and hardware used for the housing and gathering of fitness data. This technology is used in the foundations of physical education and exercise physiology courses. The Tri-Fit system is used in the public schools to assist physical educators as they assess the fitness levels of the K-12 learner.
A new Q-Stress electrocardiograph equipment and treadmill were acquired and are in use in the newly upgraded Human Performance Lab in Martindale Hall. This machine is used in undergraduate and graduate health science courses. This machine is state of the art equipment and is commonly used in clinical settings for graded exercise stress tests. Students will be able to operate this machine and administer full 12-lead electrocardiograms (EKG) during a graded exercise test.
Martindale 102 classroom has been converted into a send and receive interactive television (ITV) system classroom that has the latest technology with flat screen televisions, DVD players and suspended microphones for classroom interactions.
Dartfish, a motion analysis software that was supported in part by a Improvement of Teaching and Learning grant that is used in several methods activities classes for physical education majors. The Assessment in Physical Education course also uses the software. This software allows for physical education majors and coaches to develop the visual analytical skills to enhance and develop motor skills of the K-12 learner.
By the way, "PVC" is an acronym for premature ventricular contractions or heart palpitations which are merely an indicator of the excitement that one gets when they see the technologies being used in the HPERD department.
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HPERD 2007 Awards Luncheon
When many are soaking up the limelight and headlines for sensational tasks, there are many who have for years been behind the scenes working tirelessly and graciously in the trenches doing the "heavy lifting" with little or no recognition. At the annual HPERD Christmas Luncheon we served over 100 individuals again this year. Terry Robertson, HPERD Chair, presented several awards to individuals who have assisted in moving the HPERD vision forward into the 21st century. Dr. Jim Herauf, professor emeritus was awarded the WISE (Wisdom, Insight, Significant Expertise) Leadership Award for his work during the renovation of the Lamkin Activity Center and construction of the Student Recreation Center. He served many years as the HPERD Department chair spearheading numerous program initiatives. Ray Courter received the PETRA (Professional Expertise Truly Representing All of us) Award. His continued support of the varied department initiatives has propelled the department into areas that reach a myriad of individuals. Bob Lade received the Service with HEART (Honesty, Enthusiasm And Reliable Teamwork) Award. He has given many hours of service to assist students, faculty and staff in their pursuit of recreational activities. Dr. Bob Bush received the THANKS (Thoughtful Help And Never Ending Kindness Serving others) Award. Dr. Bush has supported the HPERD Department and the Maryville community for years with numerous hours of volunteer work through varied organizations. President Dean Hubbard was awarded the VISION (Vitality, Inspiring, Sincerity, Intelligence, Optimistic and Natural leadership) Award. Gina McNeese was presented the GIFT (Gracious Individual Full of Talent) Award for her work with the American Red Cross certificating programs, Horace Mann teaching responsibilities, mentoring Northwest graduates and Maryville and regional community organizations. Because of the continual support of these individuals, the HPERD Department has been able to become an influential and trend setting organization not only on the Northwest Missouri State University campus but also state-wide and regionally. Many thanks go to these individuals and to our all of our students and alumni.
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