Home Faculties & Schools School of Education Our Staff Dr Mark Bowler

Dr Mark Bowler

Principal Lecturer and Deputy Head of Initial Teacher Education

Mark Bowler

I am an experienced, dynamic and successful teacher and teacher educator with a passion for evidence-informed practice at all levels of education and high-quality student and staff experiences that enable transformational higher education. I am Portfolio Leader for Undergraduate Teacher Education courses and Secondary Ofsted ITE Phase Leader for our QTS provision. I have previously been Course Coordinator for the BA (Hons) Physical Education (Secondary) (with QTS) degree, and in that role led the development of England’s first Integrated Master’s (MPhysEd) in Physical Education (Secondary) (with QTS)

I have sustained influential relationships with external networks, including the Association for Physical Education, the Mapping Educational Specialist knowHow (MESH) charity, the Youth Sports Trust and England Athletics. I am a self-motivated, critical-thinking practitioner and an empowering leader.

My research interests lie broadly in the field of physical education and sport pedagogy. During my PhD, I developed (in collaboration with teachers and international scholars) a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education which aims to support young people to value a physically active life. I take an interest and critical stance on current and possible approaches to the physical education curriculum design and implementation. I am a qualified coach in over a dozen sports, as well as holding Fitness Instructor and Boxercise qualifications. For the last 15 years, I have worked as an England Athletics Licensed Coach and Teacher Education Tutor.

Other References

Qualifications

  • PhD Health Based Physical Education – Loughborough University
  • MA Education – University of Bedfordshire (Distinction)
  • BEd (Hons) Secondary Physical Education and History (QTS) – De Montfort University, Bedford (First class Honours)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • Association for Physical Education
  • Association of Learning Technology
  • Member of the BERA Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Special Interest Group

Teaching Expertise

  • Unit Coordination - BA (Hons) Physical Education (QTS): Developing Physical Literacy through Games, OAA and Health (Level 4); Applied Physical Literacy through Health, Games & OAA (Level 5)
  • Teaching - BA (Hons) Physical Education (QTS): Health-Based Physical Education (Level 4, 5 and 6); Athletics (Level 4/5/6); Dissertation supervision (Level 6/7); School Experience supervision (Level 4, 5 and 6); Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Schools (Level 6/7)
  • Teaching - PGCE Physical Education: Athletics; Health-Based Physical Education; Research project supervision (M level); School Experience supervision
  • Teaching - MA Education: Dissertation supervision

Research Interests

  • Health-Based Physical Education
  • Curriculum design and implementation
  • Models-based practice
  • Pupil-centered approaches to teaching and structuring curriculum athletics
  • Technology Enhanced Learning
  • Assessment for Learning

Research Projects

  • Developing a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education (2011-2019) (collaboration as part of my PhD between University of Bedfordshire, Loughborough University and Ghent University, Belgium)
  • The lesson planning process in Physical Education Teacher Education (2012-2015) (collaboration between Brunel University, University of Bedfordshire and Leeds Metropolitan University)
  • Professional development for teachers in rural Malawi (2009-2013)
  • The DelPHE Malawi Project was runner up for ‘Project of the Year’ and St Joseph’s Teacher Training College won ‘Partner of the Year’ at the Inaugural University Student Experience Awards in June 2013. See peer-reviewed outputs from the project: Sammon & Bowler (2009) below and Gardner & Rix (2011) at http://thescipub.com/PDF/jssp.2012.135.142.pdf

Publications

  • Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (in press) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Younie, S. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (9th edn.) London: Routledge.
  • Bowler, M. & Sammon, P. (2020) ‘Health-Based Physical Education – a framework for promoting active lifestyles in children and young people. Part 1: Introducing a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’, Physical Education Matters, 15(3), pp.60-63.
  • Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2020) ‘Health-Based Physical Education – a framework for promoting active lifestyles in children and young people. Part 2: Health-Based Physical Education in practice’, Physical Education Matters, 15(3), pp.64-66.
  • Bowler, M., Bassett, S. & Newton, A. (2020) ‘Assessing pupils’ learning’ in Capel, S., Cliffe, L. & Lawrence, J. (eds.) A Practical Guide to Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School (3rd) London: Routledge. pp.191-201.
  • Newton, A. & Bowler, M. (2020) ‘Assessment for and of learning in PE’ in Capel, S. & Gower, C. (eds.) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (5th) London: Routledge. pp.144-160.
  • Bowler, M., Newton, A., Keyworth, S. & McKeown, J. (2020) ‘Secondary School Physical Education’ in Capel, S. & Blair, R. (eds.) Debates in Physical Education (2nd edn.) London: Routledge. pp.170-189.
  • Bowler, M. (2019) Developing a pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education. PhD thesis. Loughborough University. Available at: https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/37704.
  • Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2019) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Younie, S. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (8th edn.) London: Routledge. pp.92-104.
  • Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2019) ‘Supporting beginning physical education teachers to deliver and evaluate their lessons’ in Capel, S. & Lawrence, J. (eds.) Mentoring Physical Education Teachers in the Secondary School: A practical guide. London: Routledge. pp.169-182.
  • O’Donovan, T., Ives, H.M, Bowler, M. & Sammon, P. (2016) ‘Active Inspiration Playmakers Final Report’. University of Bedfordshire: Institute of Sport & Physical Activity Research. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10547/623863.
  • Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2016) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Younie, S. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (7th) London: Routledge. pp.108-121.
  • Newton, A. & Bowler, M. (2015) ‘Assessment for and of learning in PE’ in Capel, S. & Whitehead, M. (eds.) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (5th edn). London: Routledge. pp. 140-155.
  • Bowler, M., Bassett, S. & Newton, A. (2014) ‘Assessing pupils’ learning’ in Capel, S. & Breckon, P. (eds.) A Practical Guide to Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School (2nd) London: Routledge. pp. 197-210.
  • Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2013) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Turner, T. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (6th) London: Routledge. pp. 99-111.
  • Bowler, M. & Raiker, A. (2011) ‘Learning to ‘chat’: Developing a pedagogical framework for facilitating online synchronous tutorial discussion’. Journal of Pedagogic Development, 1 (1), pp. 6-16. Available at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/jpd
  • Newton, A. & Bowler, M. (2010) ‘Assessment for and of learning’ in Capel, S. & Whitehead, M. (eds.) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (3rd edn). London: Routledge. pp. 119-133.
  • Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2009) ‘Developing Physical Education in Malawi’. Physical Education Matters, 4 (4), pp. 53-54.
  • Killingbeck, M., Bowler, M., Golding, D. & Sammon, P. (2007) ‘Physical Literacy and Physical Education’. Physical Education Matters, 2 (2), pp. 20-24.

Funding Awards

  • May 2015-July 2016. Awarded £30,000. A 1 year ‘Active Inspiration’ project from Virgin Active to support Primary School Teachers in promoting Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in young people. Led by Dr. Helen Ives.
  • Sept 2010 – August 2013. Awarded £59,100. A 3 year project from the Developing Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) Project Grant titled ‘Professional Development for teachers in Rural Malawi’. Led by Professor Kate Jacques (University of Bedfordshire) and St. Joseph’s Teacher Training College, Dedza, Malawi. See http://www.beds.ac.uk/news/2013/february/training-for-teachers-gives-hope-for-malawis-children.

External Roles

  • External Examiner for a PE ITE programme at a Higher Education Institution (2019-)
  • Chair and Author, MESH Physical Education Editorial Board (2015-) http://www.meshguides.org/
  • Adviser to England Athletics in the development of ‘Run, Jump, Throw’, a teaching and learning resource for Primary Teachers. See http://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-in-schools/teachingathletics/teaching-resources (2014)
  • Elected Member of the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Eastern Region Executive Committee
    • Elected Treasurer (2014-)
    • Elected Secretary (2008-2014)
  • Licensed England Athletics Athletics Teacher, Coach and Officials Education Tutor (2005-present)
  • Journal Reviewer
    • European Physical Education Review
    • Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
    • Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education
    • European Physical Education Review
    • Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
    • Physical Education Matters
  • Elected Chairman of Boston and District Athletic Club (2012-)
  • Competition Organiser and Meeting Manager for the annual Bedfordshire & Luton Schools’ Combined Events Championships (2009-)
  • Invited member of the Bedfordshire Sports Colleges Network (2007-2011)
  • Invited member of the England Athletics 'Schools Athletics Leadership Group' (2008)
  • Advisor to UK Athletics in the development of the 'Strategy for Teacher Education' and national 'Elevating Athletics' resources. I was the lead teacher in the original 'Elevating Athletics Primary DVD' (2003-2005).

Conference Presentations

  • Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2021) ‘Developing trainees’ ‘PE-for-health’ pedagogies’. Paper presented at the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Annual Physical Education ITTE Conference, Online Presentation, 31 March.
  • Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2020) ‘Health-Based Physical Education in Practice’. Webinar presented online for the Association for Physical Education with over 900 attendees, 18 May.
  • Bowler, M. & Sammon, P. (2020) ‘Introducing a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Webinar presented online for the Association for Physical Education with over 900 attendees, 11 May.
  • Bowler, M. (2016) ‘Promoting Healthy Active Lifestyles in Schools - Developing a Model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Paper presented at the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Annual Physical Education Conference, St Georges Park, 5-6 July.
  • Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Kirk, D., Haerens, L., Cale, L. & Casey, A. (2015) Developing a prototype Health-Based Physical Education pedagogical model. Paper presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Annual Conference, Universidad Europea, Madrid, Spain, 8-11 July. Available at: http://aiesep.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-AIESEP-CONFERENCE-MADRID-Final-Verssion.pdf97-98.
  • Sammon, P., Bowler, M., Kirk, D., Haerens, L., Cale, L. & Casey, A. (2015)‘Supporting teachers to implement a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Paper presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Annual Conference, University of Madrid, Spain, 8-11 July.
  • Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2014) ‘A new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Paper presented at the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Annual Physical Education ITTE Conference, University of Wolverhampton, 20 March.
  • Sammon, P., Bowler, M., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2014) ‘Teachers’ experiences engaging in professional development for a Health-Based Physical Education model’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Institute of Education, London, 23-25 September.
  • Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2013) ‘What’s the impact of Health-Based Physical Education? Initial findings from a student perspective’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Sussex, 3-5 September.
  • Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2012) ‘Validating the Health-Based Physical Education pedagogical model: Defining teacher and student benchmarks’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, 4-6 September.
  • Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2012) ‘Validating the Health-Based Physical Education pedagogical model: Defining teacher and student benchmarks’. Paper presented at the 2nd Exchange Conference between the University of Bedfordshire, Ghent University and University of Birmingham, University of Bedfordshire , 19 June.
  • Sammon, P., Bowler, M., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2011) ‘Developing a professional development programme for teachers to implement and sustain a Health-Based Physical Education model in their schools’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Institute of Education, London, 6-8 September.
  • Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2011) ‘Developing a pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education: Identifying assumptions about learning and teaching’. Paper presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Annual Conference, University of Limerick, Ireland, 22-25 June.
  • Bowler, M. (2011) ‘Valuing the physically active life: Developing and sustaining Health-Based Physical Education in primary schools’. Paper presented at the Inaugural Exchange Conference between the University of Bedfordshire, Ghent University and University of Birmingham, Ghent University, Belgium, 16 February.
  • Bowler, M. (2009) ‘Learning to ‘chat’ in a virtual learning environment: Using online synchronous discussion to conduct a first year undergraduate tutorial’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, 2-5 September. Available at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/184295.pdf.
  • Bowler, M. (2009) ‘The influence of the TARGET motivational climate structures on pupil physical activity levels during year 9 athletics lessons’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, 2-5 September. Available at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/184297.pdf.
  • Bowler, M. (2009) ‘The influence of the TARGET motivational climate structures on pupil physical activity levels in physical education’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association (BERA) PE & Sport Pedagogy Special Interest Group Symposium, University of Birmingham, 23 March.

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 793379
E: mark.bowler@beds.ac.uk