Move that body of knowledge!

Fun education: Liz Plummer and her students presented innovative ways of making physical education entertaining at UCT recently.

Physical education has always been vital for a child's overall development.

With many schools experiencing a lack of resources, though, educators are often forced to think outside the box.

The Create to Innovate workshop, hosted on 6 June by UCT's Teacher Enrichment Initiative at the Schools Development Unit for over 130 life orientation teachers from the Western Cape, was then opportune.

Presented by Liz Plummer, senior lecturer at Newman University College in the UK, together with six of her Postgraduate Certificate in Education students, the workshop emphasised the importance of the teacher's body as a resource.

Plummer, who has been visiting UCT's School of Education annually, demonstrated how the use of voice, movement and items such as balloons could add endless movement opportunities, and most importantly, fun, to teaching. Her students had participants in stitches with additional innovative methods to ensure learners' full enjoyment and participation in physical education.

The event was a resounding success, with teachers reporting that it had energised and empowered them - and calling for more such interventions.