Exploring Servant Teaching in Kinesiology: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

ABSTRACT

Rapid growth in the health industry has made kinesiology-based curriculum a priority across campuses nationwide. With students continuing to enroll in kinesiology at an all-time high rate, quality coursework in kinesiology is an absolute must. Previous research suggests that students will get the most out of their coursework when their basic human needs are satisfied. Further, an instructor’s teaching style can play an important role in the quality of education the student receives. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between servant leadership and the basic needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Through this study, we utilized Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework to examine the relationship between servant leadership and need satisfaction in measuring teaching effectiveness in kinesiology related courses. Surveys were distributed to students in kinesiology related courses to score their instructor’s servant leadership style and the students’ perceived need satisfaction. Results suggested that servant teaching is strongly related to student need satisfaction (p < .001). Findings and practical implications for current and future instructors in the field of kinesiology are discussed and suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• Servant leadership
• need satisfaction
• self-determination theory
• pedagogy
• kinesiology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.