Turning over a new leaf: PE specialism graduates’ understanding of ‘quality PE’

ABSTRACT

Perceptions of quality physical education (QPE) can vary among teachers, due to the many discourses influencing physical education (PE) provision. There are concerns that the educative purposes of PE are not being fulfilled in its current state. This study aims to investigate PE specialism graduates’ (PESGs’) understanding of QPE, and how these views were shaped. Eleven semi-structured interviews were carried out with PESGs, guided by preceding survey findings and wider research on teacher socialisation. Interviewee-aided sociograms encouraged participants to reflect on prior experiences and direct interview content, engaging in ‘autobiographical self-thematisation’. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed interviews. Findings suggest that professional socialisation through the PE specialism shaped teaching-oriented views of QPE among PESGs. Engagement with sport and the PE specialism were identified as significant influences in their view of QPE. Opportunities to reflect on prior experiences during the specialism supported PESGs to overcome coaching orientations and develop teaching-oriented views of PE. PESGs believe that QPE should provide the foundations for children’s continued engagement in physical activity. These foundations include the development of fundamental movement skills through a broad and balanced curriculum. By planning enjoyable learning opportunities based on children’s needs, PESGs feel the goals of QPE can be achieved.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical education
• physical education teacher education
• teacher socialisation
• teacher biographies
• curriculum

Acknowledgements

Cillian Brennan is supported by a Departmental Assistantship from Mary Immaculate College.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The Gaelic games family includes the Irish sports of hurling, Gaelic football, handball, rounders, camogie and ladies football.

2 Intercounty player – Gaelic games are amateur sports played at a variety of levels. Intercounty players are considered elite, playing at the highest level of competition by representing their counties.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cillian Brennan

Cillian Brennan is a PhD student at the Department of Arts Education and Physical Education, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland. His research investigates the experiences of graduates of the Bachelor of Education with a specialism in PE. His research interests include physical education teacher education, teacher socialisation and professional development.

Elaine Murtagh

Elaine Murtagh is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland. Her research explores how best to enhance physical activity opportunities for children and adults. This includes supporting teachers and teacher educators to adopt novel approaches such as physically active learning and play-based pedagogies.

Richard Bowles

Richard Bowles is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland. He teaches in the area of physical education. His research interests include the development of meaningful experiences in physical education and sport, mentoring and critical friendship in sports coaching, and self-study as a research approach to explore the experiences of teachers and coaches.