Showing papers in "Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy in 2009"

The Panopticon of physical education: pretty, active and ideally white

Abstract: Background: Recently, a growing number of researchers have explored students' social construction of the body in school settings. Young peoples' construction of the body, inextricably linked to dominant cultural discourses of the mass media, bears upon their identity and physical activity participation choices. Purpose: This study employed a qualitative research design in two public high schools to explore young people's social construction of the ideal body in physical education by using body images drawn from fitness and sport magazines. Participants: Participants were high school students, and formal interviews were conducted with 28 students. Students' construction of meanings about the ideal body were gendered and racialized. Conclusions: We conclude the paper by suggesting that further work on understanding girls' and boys' construction of the body is needed, especially regarding gender and race issues; and that the creation of pedagogical spaces in schools to destabilize and subvert the gendered, r...

Mentoring in sports coaching: A review of the literature

Abstract: Background: Despite criticism of its positive claims being largely unfounded and ill-clarified, the concept of mentoring has come into common use within sports coaching. Purpose: In an attempt to address these concerns, the purpose of this paper is to take better account of the researched evidence on mentoring in general before providing some guidelines of good practice that could realistically be applied to sports coaching. Literature review: In terms of the paper's content, a discussion surrounding definitions and conceptualisations is initially embarked upon. This is followed by a review of mentoring literature from other academic and professional fields, namely nursing, education and business, where the practice has been more widely researched, established and used. Current ‘models’ of mentoring in sports coaching are then examined. Summary and conclusions: A final section, drawing from all the literature reviewed, offers tentative suggestions as to the possible future shape of effective mentoring in ...

Coaching as caring (the smiling gallery): accessing hidden knowledge

Abstract: Background: Recent research into coaching has been critical of much previous work, particularly in terms of the tendency to paint a rather unproblematic portrayal of the activity. The criticism has focussed on the erroneous supposition that method can be substituted for individuals, thus giving a synthetic account of a most messy of jobs. Consequently, a call has arisen to expand traditional lines of investigation into ‘what’ and ‘how’ to coach to incorporate the related question of ‘who’ is coaching. Purpose: The principal purpose of this article is to argue for writing about coaching from a personal or autoethnographic perspective. This is supported by presenting an autoethnographical account of myself as coach of a national age-group boys football team. The case for autoethnography: The first half of this paper is given over to constructing a case for autoethnography as being an alternative, pertinent means through which to research and represent coaching. Here, the autoethnographical text is presented...

The influence of Sport Education on student motivation in physical education

Abstract: Background: Physical educators are faced with trying to provide motivating and enjoyable experiences in physical education. Sport Education is an instructional model that aims to provide positive motivational sport experiences by simulating the features of authentic sport. Research support for Sport Education is positive, however, the effects on student motivation and the motivational climate are not well understood. Purpose: To investigate the influence of the Sport Education model on student motivation (intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, goal orientations, and perceived motivational climate) in secondary physical education. Setting: Six classes were selected according to teacher and class availability in the sports of soccer, hockey, and football codes in a co-educational government school. Participants: Participants were 115 (male = 97, female = 18) Year-8 students (aged 13–14 years), in a Sport Education condition (n = 41) and a Traditional condition (n = 74). Measures: At pre- and post-test, all partici...

Motivational Climate and Fundamental Motor Skill Performance in a Naturalistic Physical Education Setting.

Abstract: Background: The literature on motivation suggests that student learning and performance is influenced by the motivational climate, and that positive benefits can be derived from exposure to a mastery motivational climate. Nonetheless, to date, only a few studies have attempted to investigate a mastery motivational climate in a naturalistic setting with young children. Purpose: To examine the influence of a mastery motivational climate intervention on children's motor skill performance in a naturalistic setting, with the hypothesis that children exposed to the mastery motivational climate physical education intervention would achieve greater improvement in motor skill development than students who experienced a low autonomy climate physical education intervention. Participants and setting: 64 kindergarten children at two separate schools in the rural south of the USA. Research design: A pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used due to the lack of random assignment of participants to groups. Intac...

Fitness testing in physical education – a misdirected effort in promoting healthy lifestyles and physical activity?

Abstract: Background: Physical fitness testing is commonplace within schools and the physical education (PE) curriculum, with advocates claiming one of the key purposes of testing to be the promotion of healthy lifestyles and physical activity. Despite this, much controversy has surrounded the fitness testing of young people. Purpose: This paper draws on selected findings of a recent ‘fitness testing children feasibility study’ to explore the key issues, concerns and debates regarding fitness testing, as they relate to encouraging a physically active lifestyle. Research design: The feasibility study was commissioned by the National Assembly for Wales and involved two main parts: a comprehensive review of the literature (using metalib) to establish the key findings/issues, and consultation with key ‘stakeholders’ and ‘experts’ to ascertain their views, understanding and experiences of fitness testing children. The consultation was carried out via questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis: The key issues and theme...

Effects of fair play instruction on student social skills during a middle school sport education unit.

Abstract: Background: Research on social skills in physical education has shown that students' fair play behaviors remain underdeveloped unless teachers include social skills instruction into the curriculum. Fair play behaviors are learned behaviors that are specific to the context of physical education and sport, and may generalize to other settings. One approach that may guide a student in social interactions without detracting from engagement in learning tasks is to integrate the teaching of fair play concepts into the instruction. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Fair Play Instruction on middle school physical education classes during a tag rugby unit. Participants and setting: Participants were eighth-grade (12–13 years of age) students in a mid-western American school. Seven individual students were observed for 40 minutes per lesson for 18 lessons. Intervention: The Fair Play Instruction consisted of: (a) students developing a chart with fair play cues to be accomplished durin...

The influence of student status on student interactions and experiences during a sport education unit

Abstract: Background: Curriculum models that include group work and allow student decision-making and responsibility within physical education classes have become increasingly popular. Models such as Sport Education are likely to facilitate different and potentially better quality experiences for students. One of the underlying premises of Sport Education is that it requires social interaction among students during group activities because of the many roles and responsibilities involved. Elizabeth Cohen has extensively studied group work in classroom curriculum models. Although group work is widely viewed as a strategy for teaching that promotes learning, Cohen found disparities in participation and achievement of students during group work relative to student status. Aims: Given the proliferation of curriculum models utilizing group work in physical education and the research from classroom settings on the role of status in group work, the purpose of this study was to explore students' social interactions and thei...

An examination of physical education teacher motivation from a self-determination theoretical framework

Abstract: Background: The motivation of physical education (PE) teachers has received precious little attention over the years. Self-determination theory (SDT) is a salient theoretical model for understanding motivation, and posits that self-determined motivation (i.e., intrinsic motivation) stems from the perceived fulfillment of three psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Scholars of SDT also contend that individual characteristics and contextual features can facilitate the fulfillment of these three needs. Therefore, SDT provides a useful theoretical platform for studying the relevant psychological needs and personal, professional and environmental features of PE teacher motivation. Aims: The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether physical educators' perceived fulfillment of autonomy, competence, and relatedness were related to their self-determined motivation. The second purpose of this study was to explore the potential impact of various personal, professional, and environme...

Queering physical education : Between benevolence towards girls and a tribute to masculinity

Abstract: Background: Research on PE indicates that the subject is marked by rather stable gendered patterns of behaviour and perceptions of the subject. This paper marks an attempt to outline a theoretical ...

Trainee and recently qualified physical education teachers' perspectives on including children with special educational needs

Abstract: Background: In recent years within the UK the inclusion of children with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream physical education (PE) has escalated up the statutory and political agenda. Despite this increased focus in schools, empirical research demonstrates that inequalities still exist in relation to the readiness of government, teacher training providers, schools and PE teachers to deliver this agenda. Furthermore, there is little empirical research regarding the experiences of trainee and recently qualified PE teachers related to the development of their knowledge, understanding and application of strategies to include children with SEN. Aims: The present study aimed to examine the views and opinions of trainee and recently qualified PE teachers to gain an insight into their views and experiences of both their initial teacher training, and confidence once in schools to include children with SEN. Methods: Five PE teacher training providers in England were identified as the sample group in whi...

Attributions for and consequences of student misbehavior

Abstract: Background: Effective classroom management is a critical teaching skill and a key concern of educators. As such it has been the focus of much research and as a result educators know a good deal about what happens in physical education class and the actions teachers take to deal with student behavior. Surprisingly, however, we do not know much at all about what teachers believe causes student misbehavior, nor what students say about the same issue. This seems like a critical oversight as how one explains another's behavior determines the individual's reactions to that behavior. Purpose: To examine teacher and student attributions for behavior in physical education class. Participants and setting: Twenty-three secondary physical education teachers (14 males and nine females), and 182 secondary students (100 males and 82 females) from a variety of school districts in the United States. Research design: A descriptive study aimed at examining teacher and student attributions. Maximum variation sampling of scho...

Exploring the Relevance of Positive Youth Development in Urban Physical Education.

Abstract: Background: While there are numerous claims that physical activity promotes positive youth development, there is a need for more empirical research in this area. Many qualitative studies suggest a relationship between a youth development orientation and participants' attitudes and behaviors in physical activity programs. A quantitative analysis of such relationships would test some of the underlying assumptions of physical activity programs designed to promote youth development. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among four youth development scales (Affective Context, Support for Youth Development, Opportunities to Engage Youth as Resources, and Belonging) and perceived effort, enjoyment, and usefulness in the context of urban physical education. Participants and setting: Eighty-seven African American high school students (41 male and 46 female) with a mean age of 14.8 years volunteered to participate in the present study. The setting was a public high school located in an...

The effect of case methods on preservice physical education teachers' value orientations

Abstract: Background: Preservice teachers' beliefs and values develop during their K-12 ‘apprenticeship of observation’ and filter both compatible and incompatible ideas about teaching and learning. Preservice teacher education has been suggested as a critical period for examining beliefs about teaching and learning. Case methods may be one curricular tool to instill change in preservice teachers' beliefs and values. Method: Ten Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students completed the Value Orientation Inventory-2 (VOI-2) and were interviewed four times over one academic year during which they were also engaged in three teaching practicums. The intervention consisted of reading and discussing eight cases in physical education focused on either the disciplinary mastery or social responsibility value orientation. Results: Results indicate that case methods had differential effects on PETE students' value orientations. PETE students' value orientations changed in the direction of the case theme at differing ...

Pupils' and teachers' perceptions of a culminating festival within a sport education season in Irish primary schools

Abstract: Background: While there is considerable literature on Sport Education, little attention has been afforded to an investigation into the use of a specific festival as a culmination to a season. Aims:...

Talent development in physical education: a national survey of policy and practice in England

Abstract: Background: Although there has been a great deal of research on talent development in sport and education, there has been a distinct lack of research on developing talent specifically in a curricular physical education context. Yet, all schools in England are expected to identify and support their talented pupils. Purpose: In order to investigate the ways in which schools identify and support talented pupils in physical education, a national (English) survey was conducted. The survey aimed to establish a clear picture of current policy and practice in secondary school curricular physical education by obtaining specific information concerning talent identification, provision and support of very able pupils. Participants and setting: A questionnaire was administered to a large sample of physical education subject leaders, which resulted in an unusually representative achieved sample (N = 535). Data collection: Data were collected using a questionnaire, from which broad generalisations could be made about ta...

Generalization of tactics in tag rugby from practice to games in middle school physical education

Abstract: Background: Many of the issues relating to game performance of students found in the physical education literature can be considered a failure of generalization from practices to games, and from games to games. However, no study in secondary physical education has examined generalization effects as a result of effective game pedagogy in the context of teaching games. Purpose: The purpose of this study was: (a) to examine the effects of technique-focused and tactic-focused instructional conditions on the learning of a tactic by students aged 12–14 years in physical education lessons participating in a tag rugby unit, and (b) to assess the extent to which the performance of this tactic generalized from instructional games to match games. Participants and setting: This study was conducted at an urban middle school (students between 12 and 14 years of age) in the Midwest of the USA. This study was conducted during a 20-day tag rugby instructional unit. Students in three classes participated in the study. Four...

Young people's health as a challenge for physical education in schools in the twenty-first century: the case of Flanders (Belgium)

Abstract: Background: A lack of physical activity (PA) and the occurrence of overweight and obesity among school-aged youth have become a major societal problem. Arising from the general concern about the future generations' health, schools have been found to be potentially important settings to promote positive health behaviour, since all pupils can be reached spending large amounts of time in the school environment. Moreover, it is beyond doubt that physical education (PE) has a key role to play. As in other European countries, the Flemish PE goals identify the importance of PA in the development and maintenance of good health. However, the discrepancy between the important role attributed to PE with regard to the development of a healthy and physically active lifestyle and the currently observed increasing sedentary and unhealthy behaviour of children and youth, is one of the reasons to question the efficiency of the current PE curricula. Aims: Within the framework of the Flemish education system, this paper aim...

Determinants of teacher implementation of youth fitness tests in school-based physical education programs.

Abstract: Background: Millions of American children are participating in fitness testing in school-based physical education (PE) programs. However, practitioners and researchers in the field of PE have questioned the need for regular or mandatory youth fitness testing. This was partly because a significant improvement in youth fitness and physical activity (PA) levels has not been demonstrated since the implementation of such tests in the 1950s. Therefore, there is a need to understand fully the role of youth fitness testing in school-based PE programs. Purposes: Given that no data are available to enrich our understanding of the determinants of teacher use of youth fitness tests in PE programs in the USA, this study aimed to identify variables that influence teachers’ use of fitness tests, guided by the theoretical model of Ronis, Yates, and Kirscht for determinants of a repeated behavior (i.e., use of fitness tests in this study). Participants: Full-time PE teachers (n = 325) from 10 states in the USA participate...

Perceptions of Middle School Assessment: An Ecological View.

Abstract: Background: The ecology of physical education is created through the interaction of three task systems: managerial task system, instructional task system, and the student social system. Within the ecological framework tasks are presented and task development is influenced by concepts such as ambiguity, risk, and accountability. Teachers' and students' perceptions of assessment tasks have been examined to some extent in physical education; however, they have not been investigated through an ecological lens. Purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to examine middle school students' and their teacher's perceptions of assessment through an ecological lens in order to investigate how assessment influenced both the teacher's and the students' agenda in the classroom. Setting: The research took place in a suburban middle school located in the western part of Massachusetts. Participants: Participants were an intact class of 36 seventh-grade students and their teacher. Research design: Qualitative case stu...

Effect of a physical education teacher's disability on high school pupils' learning and perceptions of teacher competence.

Abstract: Background: To date, most of the work done by those who do research in adapted sport pedagogy (a sub-discipline of sport pedagogy focused on modified forms of physical education that address the needs of pupils with disabilities) has focused on the experience of pupils with disabilities and relatively little work has examined the difficulties faced by physical education teachers who themselves have disabilities and teach ‘able-bodied’ pupils. Previous research, conducted in both general education and sport pedagogy settings, indicated that a teacher's attire, physical appearance, and perceived competence influenced pupils' perceptions of the teacher's ability to teach and the degree to which they learned the subject matter. These findings suggest that physical education teachers who have a disability might be in for a particularly difficult time in terms of fighting negative perceptions of their competence and their ability to promote learning among their pupils. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ...

Field dependence-independence and physical activity engagement among middle school students

Abstract: Background: Field dependence–independence (FDI) is a tendency to rely on external frames (given situations and authoritative people) or internal frames (oneself, including one's own body) for one's information processing and behavior. Literature has constantly reported that field-dependent (FD) individuals, who are less autonomous in decision-making processes and less effective in detecting and using body information (kinesthetic feedback and proprioceptive awareness), tend to demonstrate less desirable performance in sport, motor learning, and physical education settings compared with their field-independent (FI) counterparts. Little attempt, however, has been made to investigate whether FD individuals have less desirable physical activity (PA) levels than FI individuals. Lack of knowledge might pose a potential risk of health problems to FD individuals. Purpose: This study was intended to investigate and compare PA levels as well as organized sports participation between FI and FD middles school student...

Physical self-perceptions of adolescents in Years 8, 9 and 10 in independent schools, state comprehensive schools and specialist sport colleges in England.

Abstract: Background: It is widely reported that adolescence is a critical period in the development of the self. Indeed many studies identify that physical self-perceptions formed at this period are able to determine engagement in and levels of physical activity. Although the investigation of physical self-perceptions in British adolescents has been undertaken in previous studies, a comparison of different school types, and differing learning environments that each affords, requires examination. Purpose: To investigate the physical self-perceptions of adolescents in order to identify if significant differences in levels of Global Self-Esteem (GSE), Physical Self-Worth (PSW) and their subordinate physical self-perceptions are apparent in these potentially different physical education environments. Participants and setting: Some 605 participants (327 male and 278 female pupils) aged 12-15 studying in Years 8, 9 and 10 at one independent school, two comprehensive schools and two specialist sports colleges in West Yorkshire, England. Intervention: Two questionnaires were administered to each participant: the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP) and the Children and Youth Perceived Importance Profile (CY-PIP). Research design: A cross-sectional, quantitative survey. Data collection and analysis: In order to ensure pupils had been exposed to the particular physical education learning environment for a period of time, data collection took place in the penultimate month of the school year. Questionnaires were administered during physical education (PE) and games lessons to keep disruption of other areas of their timetable to a minimum with the questionnaires administered by the lead author or by a trained member of the PE department. A three-way MANOVA was employed to determine gender/year group/school type interactions. Findings: Significant differences on SPORT, CONDITION, STRENGTH and PSW (p < 0.05) were reported. Males scored significantly higher than females on all physical self-perceptions and PSW (p < 0.05). There were year differences on all physical self-perceptions (p < 0.05). Males in independent and sports colleges scored significantly higher than males in the comprehensive schools on CONDITION, BODY, STRENGTH and PSW (p < 0.05). Females in state comprehensive schools also scored significantly higher than males in state comprehensive schools on CONDITION (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings tend to support the widely held view that the physical self-perceptions of males are significantly higher than females, although the picture becomes increasingly complex when school type effects are taken into account. Longitudinal studies from the year of entry to the different school environments are required to identify any possible causal relationships between school type and subsequent development of GSE, PSW and its sub-domains in adolescents. It is suggested that alternative, constructivist curriculum models may have a positive effect upon the physical self-perceptions and levels of engagement within adolescence; a greater understanding of such models is particularly pertinent in light of the current QCA Review.

The finishing touch: anatomy of expert lesson closures

Abstract: Background: Based on the idea that students remember best what is presented last, the lesson closure is commonly identified as an important component of effective teaching and has recently surfaced as a routine practice of expert teachers in sport. Despite its link to both effective and expert instruction, the lesson closure has seen scarce attention as a topic of research and no studies have examined how successful teachers close their lessons. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the lesson closures of expert teachers. Specifically, the lesson closures of expert golf and tennis instructors were analyzed to trace features defining the anatomy of expert lesson closures, including (a) the amount of time experts took to close their lessons; (b) the order in which previously identified episodes of expert closures unfolded; and (c) the instructional content contained within each of these episodes. Participants and setting: Twenty-one expert tennis instructors and 21 expert golf instructor...

Ofsted – ‘brief encounters of a second kind’?!

Abstract: Background: Since 1995, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has inspected the quality of all Initial Teacher Training (ITT) provision in England on behalf of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). Ofsted inspection results are published and are highly significant because the TDA has a statutory duty to take account of them when allocating trainee numbers, funding ITT provision and making accreditation decisions. Yet, concerns have been expressed over the reliability, validity and credibility of inspections as well as over limitations in the methodology and/or the ‘high stakes’ involved. In recent years, however, there have been revisions to the inspection framework and the inspection arrangements in place at the time of writing, which comprise full and short inspections, propose to be effective, efficient, cost-effective and less burdensome. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical account of the authors' most recent ‘short’ Ofsted Inspection of ITT at Loughbo...