This module develops your practice as an instructor by linking your instructional experience to knowledge of training standards, professionalism, ethics, models of learning and sector employment issues. The assessment for this module allows your Level 2 Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) accredited exercise instruction certificate to count towards your OU study. If you have not obtained an appropriate certificate in the last eight years, you will need to identify and complete one in parallel with your OU studies for compulsory submission at the end of the module.
What you will study
This module is based on connecting your overall experience of developing as an instructor with academic perspectives. It views your certificate training course as only a part of your learning experience with many other social, media (e.g. the internet) and regulatory (e.g. REPs) influences.
You will investigate the following themes:
- explanations of how learning experiences operate
- instructor training standards and professionalism
- social influences in practice-based learning and assessment
- work-based recruitment and career development.
Therefore this module is about your own development and encourages you to critically examine your learning, qualification and training process as an exercise instructor including critical awareness of how you react to practical assessments and new situations. You will work through analytical tasks and readings that draw out and extend your understanding of your learning process. You will need to submit evidence of your certificate at a minimum of Level 2 as part of the end-of-module assessment.
All the above study themes will be supported by an online study guide and a module Reader. The module also makes full use of a website where you will be able to access electronic materials and keep in touch with fellow students.
If you are interested in sports coaching rather than exercise instruction and/or intend to submit a sports coaching certificate (see Entry section) then you should study the sports coaching version of this module – Making your coaching certificate count (EXC224) – instead.
Vocational relevance
This module is aimed at exercise instructors or exercise professionals wanting to develop their underpinning knowledge, skills and/or career in the subject area. It is the exercise instruction version of the OU level 2 module in our three qualifications in sport and fitness.
By using work-related learning on this module, the general insights into your learning and qualification process in the sector, together with greater self-awareness and communication skills, will make you more employable.
The Level 2 instruction qualification is recognised as a key indicator of competence for those wishing to practise as an exercise professional. If you intend to work in exercise instruction you will probably be required to ensure that your qualification and other associated requirements (such as First Aid, Child Protection and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks) are valid and up to date for the country you intend to work in.
Entry
This is an OU level 2 module and you need to have a good knowledge of the subject area, preferably obtained through OU level 1 study.
To prepare for this module you should have studied Introduction to sport, fitness and management (E112) (now discontinued), or the new module Introduction to sport and fitness (E117) , and Sport and conditioning science into practice (E217) (now discontinued). We also recommend that you studied Working and learning in sport and fitness (E113) (now discontinued).
There are no requirements concerning your level of fitness to take the module.
However, you should note the following important entry requirement for this module.
Level 2 Exercise instruction certificate
To study and complete the assessment for this module, you will need to have gained a Level 2 Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) accredited exercise instruction certificate within the past eight years. If you do not hold a suitable certificate prior to starting this module, you will need to identify and complete one in parallel with your OU studies at your own expense.
The certificate – from successful completion of this Level 2 qualification – demonstrates your competence as an instructor and will need to be electronically scanned and submitted together with the end-of-module assessment (EMA). The original certificate may be requested by the OU for verification purposes.
Please note that you will need to budget and pay for this certificate yourself and will need to undertake any associated courses (e.g. First Aid, Child Protection.) as well as any DBS or police check at your own expense. Failure to successfully complete your certificate will delay you achieving any credit for this module. Further details about this exercise instruction certificate, including which activities are recognised by the OU and what to do if you live abroad can be obtained here.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Outside the UK
The module is suitable for those working in appropriate settings throughout the UK.
If you live outside the UK and cannot access a UK exercise instruction qualification accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), please read the further details in Entry for contact details to find out if your qualification is appropriate.
Qualifications
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying EXF224 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
Study materials
What's included
An online study guide, module Reader and website.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and comment on your preparation for assessment, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Contact with your tutor will be through an online forum within your tutor group and by email or telephone.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
The certificate from successful completion of an appropriate Level 2 exercise instruction certificate (see Entry) will need to be electronically scanned and submitted together with the end-of-module assessment (EMA) for this module.
Professional recognition
This module is recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and endorsed by PD:Approval, for continuing professional development (CPD) purposes. This means that if you’re a member of REPs, on completing the module, you can claim 16 CPD points.
Future availability
Making your exercise instruction certificate count (EXF224) starts once a year – in February. This page describes the module that starts in February 2020 when it will start for the last time.
The four modules E217, E233, EXC224 and EXF224 will be replaced with two new 60-credit modules: Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235) and Applying sport and exercise sciences to coaching (E236). E235 will start for the first time in October 2019 and E236 will start for the first time in October 2020.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.