scholarly journals Teachers’ Perspectives on the Use of Pedometers as Instructional Technology in Physical Education: A Cautionary Tale

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nate McCaughtry ◽  
Kimberly L. Oliver ◽  
Suzanna Rocco Dillon ◽  
Jeffrey J. Martin

We used cognitive developmental theory to examine teachers’ perspectives on the use of pedometers in physical education. Twenty-six elementary physical education teachers participating in long-term professional development were observed and interviewed twice over 6 months as they learned to incorporate pedometers into their teaching. Data were analyzed via constant comparison. The teachers reported four significant shifts in their thinking and values regarding pedometers. First, at the beginning, the teachers predicted they would encounter few implementation challenges that they would not be able to overcome, but, after prolonged use, they voiced several limitations to implementing pedometers in physical education. Second, they anticipated that pedometers would motivate primarily higher skilled students, but found that lesser skilled students connected with them more. Third, they moved from thinking they could use pedometers to teach almost any content to explaining four areas of content that pedometers are best suited to assist in teaching. Last, they shifted from seeing pedometers as potential accountability tools for student learning and their teaching to identifying key limitations to using pedometers for assessment. Our discussion centers on connecting these findings to teacher learning and professional development, and on the implications for teacher educators and professional development specialists advocating pedometers in physical education.

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Harvey ◽  
Shane Pill

Research commentary suggests the utilization of Tactical Games Models (TGMs) only exists in isolated instances, particularly where teachers demonstrate true fidelity to these models. In contrast, many academics have adopted TGMs into their courses. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate reasons for this disparity. Participants were 44 academics and 80 physical education teachers. Results showed that academics provided a myriad of reasons why teachers may not use TGMs, although all agreed on the need for increased teacher professional development in TGMs. Physical education teachers’ outlined that numerous competing versions of TGMs was confusing and they required more hands-on examples of TGMs. Results further highlighted disparities between academics and teachers’ conceptual understanding and pedagogical applications of TGMs. There is a critical need to create improved connections between academics and physical education teachers, which could be achieved through the extended examination of the micropedagogies of teachers practice in TGMs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hodges ◽  
Pamela Hodges Kulinna ◽  
Chong Lee ◽  
Ja Youn Kwon

Students of all ages have documented a deficiency in health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK). However, improving students HRFK may require a change in teacher practices and professional development (PD).Purpose:This study, framed by Guskey’s Model of Teacher Change (GMTC; Guskey, 2002), sought to assist teachers’ HRFK instruction as part of their physical education curriculum and practices. Initially, researchers examined: (a) teachers’ perceptions of health-related fitness knowledge instruction, followed by, (b) selected teachers’ perceptions of the professional development (PD) methods and the approach to teaching HRFK.Method:Semistructured interviews were conducted among elementary physical education teachers’ (N = 9) in one suburban school district. A randomly selected smaller group of teachers (n = 5), had PD on Knowledge in Action Lesson Segments (KIALS), an approach to teaching HRFK. Teachers were asked to implement KIALS into their fifth grade physical education classes and interviewed two additional times.Results:Three themes emerged from the data: (a) HRFK is critical but I can’t get to it; (b) If you show it, they will implement it; and (c) Knowledge in Action gets the job done.Conclusion:PD procedures in this study and KIALS were seen as favorable. Results paralleled GMTC principles, as researchers confirmed quality PD, and observations of positive student outcomes further reinforced teachers’ beliefs. Teachers also expressed a willingness to continue using KIALS after the completion of this study, concluding achievement of the final fourth principal of the change process. Findings suggested that KIALS, if presented with similar PD will be well-received by teachers supporting their efforts to improve student HRFK outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
István Győri ◽  
József Márton Pucsok ◽  
Melinda Biró

  The Hungarian Educational System, the Higher Education also Teacher Education have been constantly changing over the past decades. According to the results of international and domestic examinations, there is an increasing need for new standards and approaches,  in the entire Public Education, especially Teacher Education sector. The purpose of our study was to examine the key aspects of the mentoring process in physical education. We were trying to identify those special factors and identify new trends in the area of physical education. What is the role of these factors in the process of professional development of a teacher.  


2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Suomi ◽  
Douglas Collier ◽  
Lou Brown

There is a lack of research examining the social experiences of students with and without disabilities in regular physical education classes. Little is known, from the perspective of the student, about factors that affect his or her social experience while taking part in integrated physical education. This investigation examined the factors that have a positive and a negative effect on the social experiences of 12 elementary students who were thriving, struggling, or had disabilities in an integrated kindergarten and an integrated fourth-grade physical education class. This study utilized qualitative data collection methods that included observations and interviews with students and staff. Four factors were identified: (a) physical education teachers, (b) social substance of activities, (c) cultures, and (d) social skills of students. The physical education teacher factor was the only one found to have a positive influence on the social experiences of all students, whereas the other three factors differentially affected the social experiences among the 12 students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-167
Author(s):  
Deborah Tannehill ◽  
Giyasettin Demirhan ◽  
Petra Čaplová ◽  
Züleyha Avsar

This paper reports on an investigation examining provision of physical education continuing professional development (CPD) in European countries undertaken to identify the types of practices being employed. We begin by providing a brief overview of what we currently know about CPD internationally in general education and physical education. Data are reported to reflect Parker and Patton’s (2017) key characteristics of CPD that highlight effective CPD, summarise current trends and issues in physical education, and are intended to serve as a guide to how teachers learn and how they might be better served in that learning in these European countries. Studying current practices in CPD provision identified in this study provided modest insight to inform teacher education programmes and CPD providers on the current status of physical education CPD currently being employed in Europe. We propose these findings might inform international and comparative education with respect to CPD and set the foundation for physical education colleagues in Europe to develop a CPD network where endeavours such as sharing of CPD practices, engaging in discussion of those practices, and the design of collaborative research on such CPD practices are based.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2093295
Author(s):  
Seiichiro Kihara ◽  
Mike Jess ◽  
Paul McMillan ◽  
Kazuki Osedo ◽  
Kenji Kubo ◽  
...  

This paper presents the view that Lesson Study has the potential to make a significant contribution to future developments in primary physical education. To set the paper in context, we explore the concerns that have long been voiced about primary physical education, particularly the nature of the professional development experiences of generalist primary class teachers. Contemporary approaches to teachers’ professional development, one of which is Lesson Study, are presented as having some potential in addressing these concerns as they are focused on teacher collaboration, autonomy and agency. Building on this background, the paper reports on a longitudinal physical education Lesson Study investigation that took place in one primary school in Japan: a country where Lesson Study has been a key feature of teachers’ professional development for more than a century. Working with 30 teachers over a three-year period, the findings highlight how the long-term, collaborative and situated nature of the Lesson Study experience helped create a positive context for the teachers’ professional development in physical education. Specifically, the findings reveal that the shared planning, observation and reflective experiences over time helped the teachers develop a more positive and detailed view of physical education. The paper concludes by proposing that Lesson Study, as a long-term, collaborative and situated endeavour, has the potential to foster productive developments in generalist teachers’ enactment of the primary physical education curriculum.


2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 592-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiyun Chen ◽  
Andrew J. Hypnar ◽  
Steve A. Mason ◽  
Sandy Zalmout ◽  
Austin Hammond-Benett

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of quality physical education (QPET) in a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) which is intended to promote physical activity (PA) behaviors in and outside of schools. Participants were nine elementary physical education teachers and their fourth- and fifth-grade students (n = 1111) in year one, n = 1012 in year 2). The student’s daily PA minutes were assessed using a 7-day PA log. The PE teachers’ levels of QPET were assessed by coding 63 videotaped lessons (Mlessons/teacher = 7.03, SD = .74) using the Assessing Quality Teaching rubrics (AQTR), which consisted of four essential dimensions including Task Design, Task Presentation, Class Management, and Instructional Response. Codes were confirmed through interrater reliability (82.4%, 84.5%, 94%). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, multiple R-squared regression models, and independent sample t tests. The results indicated that the overall QPET practices (R = .126, R2 = .02, F = 32.387, Sig.= .000, P < .01) and all four essential dimensions (R = .127, R2 = .02, F = 8.560, Sig.= .000, P < .01) were significant contributors to students’ student daily PA behaviors. These predictors were significantly higher in girls (R = .157, R2 = .03, F = 6.15, Sig.= .000, P < .01) than boys (R = .113, R2 = .01, F = 3.57, Sig.= .007, P < .01). The Instructional Response was a significant predictor of PA among girls (β = .12, t = 2,068, Sig. = .039, P < .05 level), but not boys. Further, students’ who experienced high QPET were significantly more physically active than those students who did not have this experience (t = 4.334, df = 2089, Sig. = .000, P < .01). It was concluded that the QPET practices played a critical role in promoting students’ daily PA engagement in and outside of schools.


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