Exploring preservice teachers’ conceptions after ‘living a hybrid curriculum’

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Sinclair ◽  
Leonard Jay Thornton

Physical education reform efforts support constructivist learning theory (CLT) to re-conceptualize K-12 physical education. Advocates of models-based instruction (MBI) indicate that sport education and a tactical games approach are grounded in CLT. A key implication for physical education teacher education (PETE) programmes is to develop preservice teachers (PSTs) capable of implementing MBI. Often, PSTs enter PETE programmes with the pre-conception that learning can only occur through passive transfer of information. As a result, PETE programmes must help PSTs re-conceptualize physical education. The two purposes of this study were to: (a) explore the use of a ‘living the curriculum’ experience to influence PSTs’ conceptions of learning and teaching in physical education; and (b) examine the usefulness of visual methods to further understand students’ experiences in a PETE course. Participants were undergraduate PSTs ( N = 12; five women, seven men) who experienced living a hybrid curriculum. PSTs took five to seven photographs to create a photo-collage that best depicted their experiences in the class. Semi-structured focus group interviews centered on discussion of the PSTs’ photo collages. Data analysis revealed two major themes and sub-themes: (1) Learning in physical education – (a) knowledge is socially constructed and (b) learning is active; and (2) The role of the professor – (a) professor as facilitator and (b) clinging to old conceptions. PSTs experienced cognitive conflict and conceptual addition, suggesting old ideas were not completely extinguished but revised. Overall, the PSTs’ conceptions indicated an openness to and basic understanding of alternate forms of physical education.

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenn M. Jacobs ◽  
K. Andrew R. Richards ◽  
Zach Wahl-Alexander ◽  
James D. Ressler

Physical education teacher education programs are tasked with preparing students for a teaching career in a field that possesses inherent challenges. Purpose: The current study, designed as a descriptive case study, examined how an outdoor education field experience can facilitate important learning for preservice teachers about navigating sociopolitical relationships among colleagues and the greater school community. Method: Interviews were conducted with 13 preservice physical educators and the course instructor, in addition to field observations. Results: An outdoor education experience that includes opportunities to interface with and reflect on working with various stakeholders can help preservice teachers learn to navigate sociopolitics and persist through challenges. Discussion/Conclusion: Despite challenges, the nontraditional and intensive nature of the field experience, as well as the positive relationships developed with students, compelled the preservice teachers to find effective ways to collaborate and manage teaching roles.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2110562
Author(s):  
Björn Tolgfors ◽  
Mikael Quennerstedt ◽  
Erik Backman ◽  
Gunn Nyberg

In many countries, assessment for learning (AfL) is recommended in both policy and research as a concept that should be integrated into the teaching of physical education (PE) in schools. AfL is also part of physical education teacher education (PETE) programs in several countries and, consequently, something future PE teachers are expected to practice in their teaching. In a previous study ( Tolgfors et al., 2021 ), we showed how AfL was transmitted and transformed between a university course and a school placement course within Swedish PETE. In the current study, we have more closely followed three of the preservice teachers who took part in our initial study into their first year of PE teaching. The purpose of this follow-up study is thus to explore how AfL is enacted in the induction phase of PE teaching. The more specific research question is: how is AfL enacted in beginning teachers’ PE practices under the contextual conditions provided at the schools where they are employed? The data were generated through Stimulated Recall interviews and follow-up interviews via the online meeting software Zoom. The analysis was based on Braun et al.’s (2011) contextual dimensions of policy enactment and Bernstein’s (1996) pedagogic device. Our findings illustrate how AfL is generally enacted through (1) progression and (2) “rich tasks.” However, the contextual dimensions of each school provide different conditions that either support or hinder the use of AfL in PE. AfL is accordingly enacted in different ways in the induction phase of PE teaching.


<i>Abstract</i>.—Washington State has used education reform best practices to redesign stewardship education. The directors of state natural resource agencies, education associations, businesses, and nonprofits who created the Pacific Education Institute (PEI) provide the leadership. PEI represents a systematic effort to work in the formal education sector using environmental education (EE) standards that align with subject area standards and provide a framework for integrated learning. PEI undertakes education research based on those EE standards to understand student achievement and its relationship to environment- based experiential education. PEI has refined the description of science inquiry to include three types of field investigation with rigorous protocols that will be included in the state’s science tests beginning in 2007. Finally, PEI has fostered a citizen science initiative with NatureMapping to connect the research undertaken by students through field investigation to questions asked by scientists. In partnership, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expects citizen science to contribute to the statewide biodiversity index now being designed. Integral to delivering these opportunities to K– 12 is the university teacher preparation faculty and their work to prepare preservice teachers with these opportunities. The result is school districts now foster stewardship education, contributing to community sustainability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tan Leng Goh ◽  
Kristin Scrabis-Fletcher

Purpose: Physical education teacher education programs prepare preservice teachers to lead Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. Through the coordination of a university’s physical education teacher education program and an elementary school, the purpose of this study was to examine preservice and in-service teachers’ perspectives in implementing a 6-week movement integration program. Method: A total of 12 preservice teachers participated in a weekly online discussion forum as part of a community of practice. In addition, the preservice teachers and three in-service teachers participated in an interview. Data were analyzed for themes. Results: The themes were facilitating implementation through support, sharing ideas for common practice, and overcoming challenges in implementation. Support received by the preservice teachers facilitated the implementation of the program. They also shared strategies to overcome implementation challenges through the weekly online discussions. Discussion/Conclusion: Fostering communities of practice among preservice teachers prepares them for collaboration and movement integration implementation in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendon P. Hyndman ◽  
Stephen Harvey

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted relating to the use of social media during health and physical education teacher education. The aim of this study was to investigate preservice teachers’ perceptions of the value of using Twitter for health and physical education teacher education. Methods: Preservice teachers completed a qualitatively designed survey. Thematic analyses were conducted via Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software, aligned to self-determination theory. Results: Twitter was perceived to be valuable for the following motivational components: (a) autonomy (choice over professional development, latest ideas, and learning flexibility), (b) relatedness (enhancing communication, tailored collaborations, and receiving practical support), and (c) competence (transferring ideas to classes, increasing technological competence, and keeping ahead of other teachers). Yet there were concerns due to Twitter’s public exposure to undesired Twitter users (relatedness) and how to navigate the platform (competence). Discussion/Conclusions: The study provides guidance to health and physical education teacher education providers on how digital learning via Twitter can meet preservice teachers’ learning needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mª Alejandra Ávalos Ramos ◽  
M. Ángeles Martínez Ruiz ◽  
Gladys Merma Molina

This study analyses the image that students of initial physical education teacher education (PETE) from two different universities (University of Alicante- UA, Spain, and Central University of Ecuador-UCE) have of physical education teachers. This qualitative and comparative study uses a metaphorical approach. Qualitative methodology was used to analyse the participating students metaphors in order to explore whether or not they suit the current learning and teaching perspectives in the field of Physical Education, and whether the images conveyed any differences between universities due to the influence of the context in the Physical Education teacher image and in gender stereotypes. A total of 190 students participated in the study (n= 105 men; n= 85 women). The software AQUAD 7 was used to process the data. The results showed that there were no obvious gender differences that keep women away from physical activity.  As well as not excessive differences due to the different context of the participants.


Author(s):  
K. Andrew R. Richards ◽  
Victoria Nicole Ivy ◽  
Michael A. Lawson ◽  
Tania Alameda-Lawson

Service-learning has gained popularity in physical education programs as a way to prepare pre-service teachers to work with culturally diverse students. The chapter contributes to this growing movement developing a conceptual framework for the development of a service-learning program fit to meet (a) the learning needs of low-income children and families; (b) the education, training, and socialization needs of preservice teachers; and (c) the design requirements of best practice interventions. A research- and theory-driven application of service-learning through the teaching personal and social responsibility pedagogical model is overviewed in reference to one physical education teacher education program. Lessons learned from the implementation of this model are discussed, as are implications for practice. Improvement science is offered a methodology that can help researchers develop the responsiveness of these initiatives while also furthering the research base of the field.


Author(s):  
Xiuye Xie ◽  
Phillip Ward ◽  
Won Seok Chey ◽  
Leslie Dillon ◽  
Scott Trainer ◽  
...  

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how preservice teachers (PSTs) developed their adaptive competence in lesson planning through repeated rehearsals and reflections in an online learning environment. Methods: A case study design utilizing descriptive analysis was used to analyze data collected from a series of lesson plan iterations made by nine PSTs in a physical education teacher education program. All participants attended one online introductory methods course, which consisted of a synchronous lecture and laboratory components to learn fundamental instruction and management skills in teaching physical education. Findings: PSTs made positive adaptations in five core practices in their lesson plan iterations. However, the frequency of adaptations in each core practice varied in different lesson components. The findings suggest that the complexity of content being taught and opportunities embedded in each lesson component may influence how adaptations were made in lesson plans. Conclusions: Repeated rehearsals and reflections can facilitate PSTs’ development of adaptations in lesson planning in an online environment. However, learning environments may prevent PSTs from adapting certain core practices.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document