Providing students with voice and choice: lessons from intervention research on autonomy-supportive climates in physical education

Abstract

This article examines the latest thinking about autonomy-supportive climates within physical education. The basis for the inclusion of these climates are self-determination and achievement goal theories which suggest that a teacher's motivating style towards students can be conceptualised along a continuum that ranges from highly controlling to highly autonomy supportive. In general, autonomy-supportive teachers facilitate, whereas controlling teachers interfere with, the congruence between students' self-determined inner motives and their classroom activity. Drawing upon research involving interventions at pre-school, primary and secondary school levels, the paper examines how 27 studies that demonstrate providing pupils with opportunities to become self-directed leads to higher levels skill attainment, physical activity and perceived competence. Implications for curriculum, pedagogy and assessment are addressed and directions for future research are noted.

Keywords:

• Physical education
• Motivational climates
• Autonomy support
• Self-direction
• Teaching