Research indicates that professional development provided over time can have a positive impact on teachers' and on students' learning in physical education (Bechtel & O'Sullivan, 2007; O'Sullivan & Deglau, 2006; Rink & Williams, 2003). The development of the online program under investigation in this study served as one answer to the critical need of providing ongoing, content-specific professional development for K-12 physical education teachers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of K-12 physical education teachers and their application of course content from a Master of Science online program in physical education teacher education. Twelve students who graduated from the Master's online program participated in this study. Three research questions guided the study: (a) What were the experiences of the physical education teachers during the online program?, (b) What areas of satisfaction in the online program were identified by participants?, and (c) In what ways were the participants implementing what they learned in the online program? Three sources of data were collected to answer the research questions: (a) a comprehensive exam, (b) an online survey, and (c) a 30-minute phone interview. The following techniques were used to ensure methodological rigor: (a) an audit trail, (b) cross-checking interviews, (c) a rich description of the online program, participants, and procedures, and (d) member-checking. The major findings provided reasons why the participants were very satisfied with this online Master's program in physical education teacher education. The data also revealed information concerning suggestions for improvement, implementation of content, and the difficulties related to applying new ideas. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Sport Management, Recreation Management, and Physical Education in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2012. / March 16, 2012. / Higher Education, Master Degree, Online Education, Physical Education / Includes bibliographical references. / Thomas Ratliffe, Professor Directing Dissertation; Diana Rice, University Representative; Jeffrey James, Committee Member; Sandra Lewis, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_254366 |
| Contributors | Figueroa-Robles, Iris A. (Iris Arleen), 1980- (authoraut), Ratliffe, Thomas (professor directing dissertation), Rice, Diana (university representative), James, Jeffrey (committee member), Lewis, Sandra (committee member), School of Teacher Education (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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