PURPOSE This study sought to explore elementary school (ES) teachers' avoidance of teaching model-based instruction (MBI) in physical education (PE) lessons. METHODS An open-ended questionnaire (n=93) and three focus group interviews (FGI ) were conducted with seven ES teachers. The collected data were analyzed using grounded theory analysis procedures (Strauss & Corbin, 1997). RESULTS Accordingly, we derived a grounded theory paradigm model composed of the core phenomenon (ES teacher’s avoidance of MBI in PE lessons), causal conditions (traditional difficulties of Elementary PE lessons, mismatch between MBI and ES teachers/PE lessons, lack of experience and teacher knowledge for/in MBI), contextual conditions (complex instructor organization, powerful trend of play), intervening conditions (value orientation for fun-focused PE, misunderstanding about PE curriculum), interactive strategies (focus on screening physical activities, preparing for PE lessons with YouTube rather than teacher guide book), and results (learner inclusive effects and de-curricularization). CONCLUSIONS ES teachers’ avoidance of MBI in PE lessons is a result of several reported problems with elementary PE lessons and is likely to be a recurring problem in the future. To encourage ES teachers’ MBI in PE lessons, efforts should be made to build practical knowledge of model use in pre- and in-service teacher education.
PURPOSE This study analyzed research on physical activities for elementary school students 1st and 2nd-graders to explore teachers’ perceptions and instructional practices in physical activity classes. METHODS Twelve studies published in academic journals conducted between 2000 to 2022 were selected for analysis. RESULTS The research articles were categorized into three domains: perception of physical activity in lower grades, operational features, and factors influencing practices from a didactic perspective. Challenges identified include dilemmas between curriculum documents and actual practice, a lack of practical teaching expertise, and a teaching culture discouraging physical activity in lower grades. Operational patterns were restructured into “avoidance-style classes,” “ad-hoc classes,” “textbook-dependent classes,” and “textbook-reorganization classes.” Factors influencing physical education for early elementary students included “teacher support factors,” “environmental factors,” and “administrative factors.” CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study advocates for policies that systematically improve perception, administration, and support classes for activating physical activities in lower elementary school students. The findings suggest the need for strategies such as adapting integrated curricula, creating training programs and educational materials, ongoing professional development activities for teachers, and specific research focused on physical activities for lower grade elementary students.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine students’ perceptions of girls’ participation in physical education(PE) in elementary schools and examine the impacts of a girl-friendly integrated program on children’s participation in PE classes. Methods The participants were 10 fifth graders (5 girls and 5 boys) and their teacher in an elementary school. Data which were collected from in-depth interviews with students, students’ journal entries, field observation, and teacher’s reflective journal entries were analyzed inductively. Results Findings revealed that boys perceived girls’ participation as passive, possessing a low level of skills, and staying at the peripheral position. Meanwhile girls expressed their desire to demonstrate their strengths in PE classes and were afraid of boys’ criticism regarding their lack of skills. There were also misconceptions and misunderstanding on girls’ PE participation between boys and girls. In order to resolve these issues, a girls-friendly integrative program was designed. based on the four guiding principles drawn from students’ perception: (1) from ignorance to interest, (2) from misunderstanding to understanding, (3) from sport skills to sport values, and (4) from competition to cooperation. The program integrated boys and girls for promoting active interaction and also integrated competence, knowledge, and dispositions to accommodate students’ various ways of PE participation. Findings revealed that the program had: (1) diversified students’ perceptions of PE participation, (2) promoted students’ diverse and active participation, and (3) established classroom atmosphere which emphasized positive values.
The purpose of this study was to examine the current status of school sport club(SSC) participation and to explore relationship between school sport participation and positive youth development. In order to do this, a survey was conducted with 403 elementary, middle, and high school teachers who are currently taking charge of SSCs, and also individual interviews were conducted with 22 students. In addition, the youths' developmental asset questionnaire was administered with 412 middle school students. The survey results from 403 teachers showed that SSCs have potential to contribute to positive youth development because teachers are placing an emphasis on character development as well as physical and social development through SSC activities. In addition, participants who regularly participate in physical activities had higher internal and external developmental assets than non-participants or irregular participants. Specifically, students participated in SSC more than twice a week had higher internal and external assets than students participate once a week. In addition, participants who engage more than one hour per session had higher internal and external assets except constructive use of time and social competence. Discussion and implications for organizing SSCs to provide developmental contexts and contents for positive youth development were provided.
PURPOSE Through analysis, this study reports on occurrences of children and adolescents’ sports accidents and presents measures to prevent, cope with, and manage school sports accidents. METHODS The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. First, a frequency analysis was conducted using 284,429 safety accident data of the School Safety and Insurance Association (SSIA). Second, the inductive analysis method was applied to in-depth interviews conducted with eight teachers. RESULTS , accidents are characterized as follows: 1) At the school level, accidents have increased significantly every year in a large proportion of elementary and middle schools. 2) The span of time spent on sports was large. 3) Accidents happened at playgrounds and auxiliary facilities. 4) Accidents happened during kindergarten play and ball sports in schools. 5) The descending order of days with the most accidents was Thursday, Tuesday, Friday, Wednesday, Monday, Saturday, and Sunday. 6) Rather than a certain month, accidents happened across the school semester. 7) Most accidents occurred from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Second, field teachers’ stories were categorized into the following topics. 1) School accidents can occur anytime, anywhere. Whether mild or serious, they still had the burden of inevitable accidents. 2) Required: were prompt response and handling by appropriate teachers; timely treatment and recovery cost support; also procedurally simplified handling by SSIA was helpful. 3) Avoiding accidents requires the following:: regular operation of safety education programs; daily promotion of teachers’ preventive observation and close guidance; and active role reinforcement of SSIA and policy support. CONCLUSIONS Finally, measures to prevent, cope with, and manage school safety accidents were proposed.
