The purpose of this study was to explore changes that occurred in physical education since the introduction of the New York State Standards in 1996 and ways teacher educators perceive related changes in both school and Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs. With the release of State and National Standards (NASPE, 1995), associated educational reform, assessment, and accountability have become important in physical education. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with six participants considered experts in state standards. Cote, Salmela, and Russell's (1995) guidelines were used to inductively analyze and interpret the qualitative data. The results of the analysis yielded three categories: (a) reasoning behind standards, which included rationales, developments, and comparisons, (b) impacts of standards, which involved PE effects, PETE reactions, and negative responses, and (c) actions resulting from standards which focused on implementation, leadership, assessments and accountability, and forward directions. Relationships between the properties within each category produced four areas of greatest interest/importance: implementation, PE effects, rationales, and forward directions. The result of this study is a focused look at standards-based reforms in New York State upon which teachers, administrators, PETE professionals, and educational policy makers may reflect.

Eight years after the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 105-17), there still appears to be gaps in the efforts to ensure that students with disabilities are given a free and appropriate public education. While the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 aims to create school environments where teachers and paraprofessionals are highly qualified for all students, the issue of having adequately trained paraprofessionals assisting in physical education continues to be ignored. The purpose of this study was to determine the basic profiles of paraprofessionals assigned to physical education and to conduct a needs assessment for training. Participants (N=76) were comprised of paraprofessionals from city and county public schools grades Pre K -12 in Northwest and East Central Indiana, and Northwest Ohio. A twopart questionnaire was given to paraprofessionals in the classrooms to assess current responsibilities in physical education as well as identify training needs they might have in physical education. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency counts, and measures of central tendency (means) to answer all research questions. Results indicated that paraprofessionals who assisted in physical education perceived themselves to be adequately trained despite not having much professional training. Paraprofessional responsibilities in physical education remained vague and unclear; however, results showed paraprofessionals were willing to receive training depending on training length of time and training topics offered. / School of Physical Education

Using a qualitative case study approach, the purpose of the study was to explore the nature of the practical knowledge about teaching constructed by physical education preservice teachers during their practicum experience, that is, to gain insights into the 'sense making' process in which preservice teachers engage as they learn to teach during this experience. In addition, the study examined the factors which enhance or constrain this constructive process. The data analysis was guided by two research questions: What is the nature of the practical knowledge about teaching constructed by physical education preservice teachers during their practicum experience?; and what factors influence (enhance or constrain) the development of this knowledge during the practicum experience? The study was situated within the everyday experiences of four physical education preservice teachers as they completed an extended (thirteen week) practicum in secondary school settings. The methods used to collect data were those associated with qualitative case studies. They included lesson observations, in-depth interviewing, video and stimulated recall sessions of lessons taught by the participants, and journal writing. Separate cases have been written for each of the four participants, while the final chapter discusses the substantive issues that have arisen from the study. There were a number of conclusions that emerged from the study. With regards to the nature of practical knowledge constructed by preservice teachers the findings include its thematic development, the dynamic transformation of 'knowing that' into 'knowing how', how practical knowledge was evident but rarely heard in the practice of preservice teachers, and the role of each participant's image of himself or herself as a physical educator. A number of factors were identified that enhanced or constrained this process. These factors include prior coaching experiences, the role of sponsor teachers, the impact of university faculty advisors, video and stimulated recall sessions, and the teaching of a second subject by each participant. The study concludes by outlining a number of implications for teacher education. First, it suggests that during their teacher education program preservice teachers need to be taught how to learn from experience and that sponsor teachers have a key role to play in this process. Second, that biography has a significant impact in directing what and how preservice teachers learn about teaching during a practicum and that preservice teachers must be encouraged to examine and look beyond their own experiences when learning how to teach. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this project was to identify and examine the elements and skills of cooperative learning for student learning in physical education. This project is intended for junior high and middle school physical education teachers who want to be informed on cooperative learning for student learning in physical education. Cooperative learning is the main topic of this study. This project searched for elements and skills in cooperative learning. The method for this project was a literature review from peer-reviewed articles.

Data were obtained through the syllabi and the questionnaires returned by the head of physical education institutes in India. From a total of thirty-seven questionnaires sent, sixteen were returned representing fourteen different institutions. The programs in India showed some diversity among the institutions regarding the length of time required to complete the courses and minimum qualifications prescribed for admission to the program. The programs did not meet the recommendations of the conference either in length or content. The newer programs more nearly met the recommendations.

This study is an evaluation of the programs in fourteen selected Texas colleges and universities to prepare undergraduates for teaching careers in physical education. The study uses its analysis of current programs as a basis for recommending improvements in them.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to describe the various assessment techniques used by supervisors of physical education student teachers. A survey instrument was sent to physical education supervisors at colleges and universities listed in the 38th Annual Guide to Accredited Education Programs/Units. A total of 177 Surveys were sent out; 109 were returned for an overall response rate of 61.5%. The study generated demographic information about supervisors of physical education student teachers as well as information about the assessment practices of the supervisors. The frequency with which certain assessment techniques (ie. intuitive assessment, eyeballing, rating scales, checklists, systematic observation, anecdotal notes, reflection and conferencing) and assessment modes (live observation, videotape and audiotape) were used was also collected. Factors that supervisors assess with the particular assessment techniques (ie. time, management, lesson content) were also analyzed. The data from this study indicate that all assessment techniques and modes are used to some degree by supervisors of physical education student teachers. However, some techniques are used more frequently than others and some only when certain modes are used. The assessment technique most frequently used by supervisors was conferencing (97%) and least frequently was eyeballing (42%). Overall, live observation was utilized most often (97%) and audiotape least often (5%). The data also indicate that supervisors use many different techniques of assessment to gather information about such factors as discipline, organization, Management and time. It was concluded that some factors were assessed through a variety of techniques, perhaps indicating that supervisors combine the information from different assessment techniques in order to more accurately assess their student teachers. / Ed. D.

No description available.

The project examines the effects of gender and academic achievement on motivation for teaching in physical education. A total of 57 (Female = 33; Male = 24) preservice teachers, randomly selected from a Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program in southern California participated in the study. Participants completed a Teacher Motivation for Teaching questionnaire (TMT-PE) and a demographic questionnaire. Results indicate that both male and female preservice teachers tend to be motivated for teaching by perceived feedback from other teachers, principals, and supervisors. Female teachers were more likely to be motivated by perceived feedback than male teachers.