Research and Practical Implications of Integrating Autobiographical Essays Into Physical Education Teacher Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
K. Andrew R. Richards ◽  
Karen Lux Gaudreault ◽  
Wesley J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Essay Writing ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Personal Belief

The purpose of this research note is to introduce and overview both the teaching and research applications of autobiographical essay writing. Grounded in occupational socialization theory and teacher reflection, the authors propose that autobiography can be a powerful tool in helping preservice and in-service teachers more deeply reflect on their prior socialization experiences, which may help them to better understand and be willing to critique their personal belief structures. The authors provide an overview of how autobiographical essays have been used and include recommendations for teacher education practice. From a research perspective, the authors argue that autobiographical essays provide a targeted strategy for collecting reflective data on individuals’ background socialization experiences. Such data are critical for socialization scholars who are interested in understanding how teachers’ biographies influence their current teaching beliefs and practices. Applications for physical education-adjacent spaces, including doctoral education, adapted physical education, and elementary education, are also discussed.

Socialization of Preservice Adapted Physical Educators: Influence of Teacher Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley J. Wilson ◽  
K. Andrew R. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Adapted Physical Education ◽  
Physical Education Teachers ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education

Occupational socialization theory has been used to understand the recruitment, education, and socialization of physical education teachers for nearly 40 yr. It has, however, only recently been applied to the study of adapted physical education teachers. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to understand the socialization of preservice teachers in an adapted physical education teacher education graduate-level program. Participants included 17 purposefully selected preservice teachers (5 male and 12 female) enrolled in a yearlong graduate-level adapted physical education teacher education program. Qualitative data were collected using interviews, reflective journaling, and field notes taken during teaching and coursework observations. Data analysis resulted in the construction of 3 themes: overcoming contextual challenges to meet learners’ needs, the importance of field-based teacher education, and coping with the challenges of marginalization. The discussion connects to and advances occupational socialization theory in adapted physical education and suggests that professional socialization may have a more profound influence on preservice adapted physical education teachers than on their physical education counterparts.

PETE Faculty Preferences and Responsibilities for Research, Teaching, and Service in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 396-406
Author(s):  
Kim C. Graber ◽  
K. Andrew R. Richards ◽  
Chad M. Killian ◽  
Amelia Mays Woods
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Work Role ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
Institution Type ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Education Faculty

Purpose: Grounded in occupational socialization theory, the purpose of this investigation was to examine U.S. physical education teacher education faculty members’ work role preferences, how their actual work role responsibilities compare to institutional expectations, and differences in these preferences and responsibilities based on gender and institution type (i.e., bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral institutions). Methods: Participants included 323 physical education teacher education faculty members (188 females and 135 males) from 230 institutions of higher education who completed an online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a series of 3 × 2 (Institution Type × Gender) factorial analysis of variances. Results: There was relative alignment between what faculty members are expected to do, what they prefer to do, and how they actually spend their time. There are, however, some important differences based on gender and institutional classification. Discussion/Conclusion: Results are discussed within the framework of occupational socialization theory and with reference to faculty role expectations and the propensity for role conflict.

Future Research on Physical Education Teacher Education Professors

1991 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal A. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
Work Lives ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Research Perspectives

Conceptual and methodological limitations are evident in the previous research on physical education teacher education (PETE) professors. The developing literature on professors in all fields, career theory, and occupational socialization theory may be blended to build a conceptual framework for future research. This framework illuminates influences on and questions about PETE professors’ work lives, role orientations, productivity, and affiliations. It also invites autobiographical, developmental, longitudinal, and action-oriented research perspectives. Several benefits may be derived from research on PETE professors, including improved career-guidance and faculty-development systems.

Effects of occupational socialization on United States secondary physical education teachers’ beliefs regarding curriculum design

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura F Prior ◽  
Matthew D Curtner-Smith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Physical Education Teachers ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Teachers Beliefs

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of occupational socialization on the development of United States secondary physical education teachers’ beliefs and actions regarding curriculum design. Participants were 10 teachers. Data were collected with six qualitative techniques and analyzed using analytic induction and constant comparison. Three groups of teachers were identified: non-teachers, conservatives, and progressives. Key influences on the teachers’ beliefs and values were their orientations to teaching and coaching. These orientations had been formed during their acculturation and were untouched or reinforced by their physical education teacher education. The cultures in which they worked generally supported the non-teachers’ perspectives. Practical implications of the study focused on the need for careful selection of preservice teachers, ways in which to deliver physical education teacher education, and the need for increased accountability in schools.

Influence of Occupational Socialization on the Perspectives and Practices of Adapted Physical Education Teachers

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan Woong Park ◽  
Matthew D. Curtner-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Adapted Physical Education ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
School Cultures ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Adapted Physical Educators

The purpose of this study was to describe and examine the occupational socialization of nine adapted physical educators (APEs). The questions we attempted to answer were (a) What were the perspectives and practices of the APEs? and (b) What factors influenced these perspectives and practices? Data were collected through six qualitative techniques and analyzed by using analytic induction and constant comparison. At the time the study was conducted, the APEs possessed traditional or progressive teaching orientations. They had been attracted to a career as an APE through their participation in sport and physical activity and interactions with persons with disabilities. The quality of adapted physical education teacher education the APEs received varied, but high-quality adapted physical education teacher education appeared to exert a powerful influence on their values and pedagogies. The school cultures and conditions in which the APEs worked on entry into the workforce either served to support or negate their programs. We conclude the paper by providing several hypotheses regarding the influences of occupational socialization on in-service APEs’ teaching.

Developing Principles of Practice for Implementing Models-Based Practice: A Self-Study of Physical Education Teacher Education Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kellie Baker
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Teacher Educator ◽  
Physical Education Teacher ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Self Study ◽  
Principles Of Practice

Purpose: Models-Based Practice (MBP) has been suggested as one possible physical education future. However, there are few examples that consider the challenges faced implementing MBP. The purpose of this research is to develop and articulate principles of practice for implementing MBP in physical education teacher education. Method: Self-Study of Teacher Education Practice methodology guided collection of teacher educator and preservice teacher (n = 9) data. Results: Principles of practice are identified: (a) providing opportunities for beginning teachers to analyze their learning about and through MBP provides unique insights into using MBP, (b) experiencing and examining alternatives to MBP provides preservice teachers with opportunities to practice pedagogical decision making, and (c) individual and group meetings support teacher educators and preservice teachers in crystallizing understandings of MBP implementation. Conclusion: The articulation of principles of practice offers insights into how teacher educator practice might be examined, developed, and shared for use by others.

Understanding US PETE Faculty Stress in the Sociopolitical Environment of Higher Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2110537
Author(s):  
K. Andrew R. Richards ◽  
Shelby E. Ison ◽  
Kim C. Graber ◽  
Amelia Mays Woods ◽  
Chloe Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Role Stressors ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Faculty Stress

Teacher socialization theories have been extensively applied to understand the sociopolitical stressors faced by inservice physical education teachers. On the other hand, little is known as it relates to how physical education teacher education (PETE) faculty members experience and navigate stress in their jobs. Through the lens of occupational socialization theory, this study sought to understand US PETE faculty members’ experiences navigating the stress of their work in sociopolitical department and university environments. Participants included 36 US PETE faculty members (20 female, 16 male). Data were collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Results highlighted the ways in which participants experienced and navigated the stress associated with their work environments. Specific themes included: (a) ambiguous, conflicting, and high expectations for performance contribute to role stress, (b) department cultures can challenge and marginalize physical education, (c) (development of) personal approaches and coping strategies to manage role stressors, and (d) networks of support are integral to faculty development and socialization. Results are discussed with implications for how various roles and the internalization of those roles impacted participants’ perceived stress while addressing the intra- and interpersonal strategies participants employ to navigate these stressors. Recommendations related to both doctoral education and continuous faculty development are provided and future directions for research are forwarded.

Physical Education Graduate Student Socialization in a Research-Focused Master’s Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Andrew R. Richards ◽  
Karen Lux Gaudreault ◽  
Kelly L. Simonton ◽  
Angela Simonton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
Physical Education Teacher Education ◽  
Online Discussion Forum ◽  
Student Socialization

Researchers have begun using occupational socialization theory to understand the experiences of physical education teacher education doctoral students and faculty members. Comparatively little work has been done with graduate students pursuing research-focused masters’ degrees. These programs can serve as pipelines into PhD programs and have implications for the process of becoming a faculty member. Using a qualitative methodology grounded in existential phenomenology, this 2-year longitudinal study sought to understand the perspectives of Angela and Kelly as they navigated the master’s degree program. Data were collected through interviews, an online discussion forum, and text message conversations. Data analysis resulted in the construction of three themes and associated subthemes to describe the data. The primary themes included: (a) adjusting to graduate student life, (b) the importance of relationships, and (c) preparing for life after graduate school. Results are discussed using occupational socialization theory, and implications for research and practice are suggested.

Old Story with a New Twist: Applying Decision Theory to Advance Understanding of the Negative Socialization Cycle of Physical Education Teachers

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Wyant ◽  
Kristi N. Wyant
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Decision Theory ◽  
Physical Education Teachers ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Occupational Socialization ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
K 12

In recent years, the physical education (PE) profession has been forced to confront a plethora of issues, from the demise of teacher education programs to the loss of programming in the K–12 context. Calls for change and a time of introspection have been prompted by this climate. The impetus for change has long been a staple of PE discourse. Occupational socialization theory, which describes the forces that shape the decisions and behaviors of physical education teachers, offers insight on the change narrative. Emerging from the results of occupational socialization research are myriad negative issues that highlight a perplexing problem—some PE teachers have the propensity to make irrational decisions. The purpose of this article is to apply decision theory as a means to critically examine issues that have emerged from the negative socialization cycle of PE teachers. Beyond connecting theories, suggestions will be provided to improve the decision-making of PE professionals.

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