Creation of new routines in physical education: second-order reflection as a tradition-challenging form of reflection stimulated by inquiry-based learning

ABSTRACT

The time we live in is characterised by social and cultural changes, but teaching in physical education (PE) does not necessary match these changes. Consequently, the present project explored how second-order reflection (SoR) as a tradition-challenging and developing form of reflection can be stimulated by an inquiry-based learning (IBL) approach in physical education teacher education to transform current pedagogy to align with social and cultural changes. SoR fosters development and learning by inter-professional collaboration and inter-professional dialogue and is an extended form of higher-order thinking (HoT) including critical thinking and problem-solving. The project explored how an IBL approach stimulated a group of pre-service teachers (n?=?32) developing their professional practice by using SoR. Data were generated through video observations and audio recordings of the pre-service teachers’ discussions, reflections and actions during the IBL unit. Furthermore, written reflections regarding the challenges were collected. All data were inductively analysed in order to identify and extract common themes and patterns in relation to SoR. The analyses of the data revealed that during the IBL approach the pre-service teachers used both reflection at first and second-order level. Reflections in the form of technical and practical considerations were common, while examples of SoR were seen especially in the phases of IBL where the pre-service teachers used new theoretical knowledge and experiences from other contexts than PE. Consequently, the findings supported that IBL enhanced the second-order reflective skills of some of the pre-service teachers. However, with further use of guiding and facilitation of the IBL process or keeping the pre-service teachers to their challenges, hypotheses and plans, the methodology has even more potential to enhance the second-order critical reflection of the participants; thereby developing their coming practice to be more reflective, engaging and probably motivational.     

‘Who’s that girl sitting with the boys?’: negotiating researcher identity in fieldwork with adolescent boys

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to discuss the negotiation and performance of researcher identities while conducting fieldwork. It draws on a larger study of masculinities, health and physical education, and sport in an elite boys’ school to analyse the researcher’s role as a female ethnographer in the world of health and physical education in boys’ schooling. Using data drawn from field notes, reflections, and observations from six months of fieldwork at the school, this paper joins a growing body of research, which attests to the importance of making known the ‘hidden histories’ of qualitative research. The significance of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it lies in recognising the details of how researchers position themselves in the field, negotiate and renegotiate their identities, and the significance of social dynamics and relationships to this process. Secondly, it raises awareness of the implications of negotiating researcher identities and embodied experiences in the field and suggests this analysis should become more public in qualitative research.     

Physical activity levels during Dutch primary and secondary school physical education

Abstract

Objective: Physical education (PE) has been attributed an important role in providing young people with physical activity. If sufficiently active, PE lessons could contribute to physical activity levels in youth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the overall intensity of Dutch primary and secondary school physical education (PE) lessons and the influence of various lesson characteristics on these intensity levels. Methods: Between September 2008 and June 2009 heart rates were measured using the Polar Team System in a nationally distributed sample of 913 students in 40 schools in the Netherlands. Results: Overall percentages lesson time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were 46.7% and 40.1% during primary school and secondary school PE respectively. Results indicated a sharp decline in girls’ PE intensity levels at the beginning of secondary school. Furthermore, secondary school boys were more active than girls. The high prevalence of teamgames in the Dutch PE curricula might prevent secondary school girls from attaining similar physical activity levels during PE.     

Recurrent pain and discomfort in relation to fitness and physical activity among young school children

Abstract

As an increase in pain symptoms among children has been shown in the last decades, the aim of this study was to describe perceptions of recurrent pain, measured physical fitness and levels of reported physical activity (PA) in children, and to investigate if any associations between PA, fitness and recurrent pain could be identified. A school-based study comprised 206 Swedish children 8–12 years old, 114 boys, 92 girls. A questionnaire with questions about perceived pain, self-reported PA and lifestyle factors was used. Health-related fitness was assessed by 11 physical tests. A physical index was calculated from these tests as a z score. High physical index indicated high fitness and low physical index indicated low fitness. ANOVA test, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to compare active and inactive children. The prevalence of one pain location (head, abdomen or back) was 26%, two 11% and three 4% (n=206). Female gender, living in single-parent families, low PA and low subjective health were associated with reported recurrent pain. Children reporting high levels of PA had high physical index and reported low prevalence of pain symptoms. The physical index and level of self-reported PA decreased gradually the more pain locations. Physically active children had higher fitness levels and reported less pain symptoms than inactive peers. Coping with pain is an integral part of PA, and active children learn to cope with unpleasant body sensations which together with high fitness may reduce the perception of pain.     

电大参与新生代农民工学历后教育初探

当今,有关新生代农民工的学历后教育与培训问题受到国家和社会的高度重视,但其解决的有效方法很是匮乏;另外,成人教育生源的日益减少和竞争力的不断增强使电大面临着前所未有的挑战。电大很多方面的优势恰好适应了新生代农民工学历后教育的需求,依据新生代农民工学历后教育面临的问题和电大的优势,电大可以成为新生代农民工学历后教育的引导者和支撑者。     

社区教育中成人多元智能培养策略研究

加德纳提出的多元智能理论给当代教育提出了一个新的课题,将多元智能理论引入社区教育,可以为社区教育的开展提供一个多元视角。分析成人学习者的特征及其多元智能培养的必要性,进而从课程资源、教学环境、教学方式和评价方法等方面,提出培养成人多元智能的策略,以促进人的全面发展,推动社区教育、学习型社会建设顺利进行。     

以就业为导向的高职英语专业教学改革

“以就业为导向”的高职高专教学应区别于普通高校的“学科型”教学。高职英语师范类教学应始终贯彻“以就业为导向”的指导思想,突出职教特色,从“学以致用”的教学理念出发,采用任务型教学方法,建立多样化的评价体系,提高学生的专业素质和就业能力,以满足市场对高职英语师范类人才的需求标准。     

开放教育教学资源共建共享——以现实困境与路径机制为中心的探讨

＂开放与共享＂是开放教育的本质,＂开放与共享＂的关键在于优质教学资源的供给。需求与供给的不平衡成为开放教育发展中的障碍,也成为开放教育的现实困境。教学资源的共建共享成为开放教育发展的必然选择,如何突破现有困境,找出开放教育共建共享的合理路径机制,是开放教育切实可行的发展之道。     

河南省在校大学生对体育课程结构需求的探析

本文采用了文献资料法、问卷调查法、访谈法等,对河南省普通高校在校生的体育课教材、教学内容及授课模式诸多方面进行了全面、客观的调查研究,分析了在校学生对体育课程具体需求,为构建河南省普通高校体育课程内容的先进性、合理性提供了有效的理论支撑,为河南省高校体育教学改革提供依据。     

增强大学生体质的高校体育教学改革

针对目前大学生体质现状以及高校体育教学中存在的问题,建议高校体育教学改革应从以下几个方面入手:教学内容的选择上,应兼顾大学生兴趣,着重发展心肺功能;教学组织形式的安排上,应依据大学生运动能力差异,开展分层次教学;教学评价的方法上,应考虑大学生运动能力的进步幅度;加强体育理论课教学,为大学生课余锻炼提供科学理论指导.