Education Commons^™

Nintendo Wii: Opportunities To Put The Education Back Into Physical Education, Dana Perlman, Gregory J. Forrest, Philip J. Pearson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Movement-based gaming technologies, such as the Nintendo Wii, are becoming more visible within the physical education. As research on movement-based technologies develops, an aspect that has gained interest is the potential educational value for the physical education student. The purpose of this study was to examine movement-based sport games and the potential learning opportunities (i.e. game performance elements) for physical education students. Using qualitative measures, experts in the field of physical education teacher education analyzed the game performance opportunities across multiple sport-based games. Findings indicated that movement-based games provide opportunities to develop and work on the cognitive understanding of sport …

Turning The Switch On! The Teachers’ Ability To Influence Student Motivation In Physical Education, Dana Perlman, Philip J. Pearson, Kim Mckeen, Gregory J. Forrest

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Student motivation is an area of importance in physical education due to the association with enhanced levels of effort, participation and aspects of learning (Tjeerdsma-Blankenship, 2008; Chen, 2001). Physical education specialists are routinely challenged by students who demonstrate behaviours indicative of low levels of motivation, such as high rates of absenteeism and severely low levels of active participation within the class setting (Ntoumanis, Peensgaard, Martin & Pipe, 2004). Bryan and Solmon (2007) indicate that the teacher is a primary driver for the development and implementation of experiences that support and/or thwart student motivation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was …

Split-Attention And Redundancy Effects On Mobile Learning In Physical Environments, T C. Liu, Y C. Lin, M J. Tsai, Fred Paas

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This study investigated split-attention and redundancy effects in a mobile learningenvironment on leaf morphology of plants as a function of different combinations ofmedia. Eighty-one fifth-grade students were randomly assigned to the following threeconditions: texts with pictures embedded in the mobile device (TP condition); textsembedded in the mobile device and real objects that are outside of the mobile device(TO condition); and texts with pictures embedded in the mobile device and realobjects that are outside of the mobile device (TPO condition). Differences inperformance on comprehension tests and learning efficiency were examined acrossconditions. The TP condition was expected to perform better than the …

The Influence Of State Motivation, Content Relevance And Affective Learning On High School Students' Intentions To Use Class Content Following Completion Of Compulsory Physical Education, Collin A. Webster, Diana Mindrila, Robert Weaver

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Little research has examined mechanisms leading to the utilization of compulsory physical education content in future contexts. This study tested a model in which motivation to be in physical education class functions as a predisposition influencing perceptions of teacher communication of content relevance, perceptions of course relevance to one’s personal life, affect for physical education and intentions to apply class content in the future. High school students (N = 636) enrolled in compulsory physical education classes completed questionnaires assessing each of these variables. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated the questionnaire items were adequate indicators of the five constructs. Structural …

Relationships Between Personal Biography And Changes In Preservice Classroom Teachers' Physical Activity Promotion Competence And Attitude, Collin A. Webster

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Personal biography influences preservice classroom teachers’ (PCT) perceptions and attitudes related to school-based physical activity promotion (SPAP). Using an uncontrolled prepost design, this study investigated associations between biographical variables and changes in PCTs’ SPAP attitudes and perceived competence while enrolled in a 16-week SPAP course. PCTs (N = 201) completed baseline measures assessing biographical variables of year in school, sports participation, coaching/teaching experience, BMI, satisfaction with K-12 physical education (PE) and perceived physical activity (PA) competence, and prepost measures assessing SPAP attitudes and perceived competence. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance procedures showed statistically significant, positive changes in PCTs’ scores …

Incorporating Tgfu Into A Bachelor Of Physical And Health Education Degree At An Australian University, Philip J. Pearson, Paul I. Webb

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Pearson and Webb (2010) investigated whether Physical Educators in NSW schools had adopted the TGfU approach to the teaching of games in their classes. Forty PDHPE teachers were surveyed with questionnaires and focus group interviews to determine their knowledge and understanding of TGfU and the extent to which they had incorporated TGfU into their teaching of games in Years 7 to 10. Fifty third-year Physical and Health Education pre-service teachers were also surveyed after completing their Professional Experience in the schools of the teachers surveyed. The pre-service teachers’ observations of Physical Education classes in the schools were also used to …

A School-Based Intervention To Promote Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: Rationale, Design, And Baseline Data From The Girls In Sport Group Randomised Controlled Trial, Anthony D. Okely, Wayne G. Cotton, David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Lauren M. Puglisi, Judy Miller, Jan Wright, Marijka Batterham, Louisa Peralta, Janine Perry

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Background: Physical activity levels decline markedly among girls during adolescence. School-based interventions that are multi-component in nature, simultaneously targeting curricular, school environment and policy, and community links, are a promising approach for promoting physical activity. This report describes the rationale, design and baseline data from the Girls in Sport group randomised trial, which aims to prevent the decline in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) among adolescent girls. Methods/design: A community-based participatory research approach and action learning framework are used with measurements at baseline and 18-month follow-up. Within each intervention school, a committee develops an action plan aimed at meeting the …

The Impact Of Child And Adolescent Obesity Treatment Interventions On Physical Activity: A Systematic Review, Dylan P. Cliff, Anthony D. Okely, Philip Morgan, Rachel A. Jones, Julie R. Steele

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Efforts to treat obesity in childhood and adolescence would benefit from a greater understanding of evidence-based strategies to modify physical activity behaviour. A systematic review was conducted to examine the impact of child and adolescent obesity treatment interventions on physical activity. Studies included were randomized controlled trials or controlled trials, with overweight and obese youth (aged < 18 years), which reported statistical analysis of free-living physical activity at pretreatment and post-treatment. Two independent reviewers assessed each study for methodological quality. Seventeen child and three adolescent studies were retrieved, half of which were conducted in the USA. Studies were characterized by small samples of limited cultural and economic diversity. Fifteen studies reported an increase in at least one physical activity outcome at post-test or follow-up. Overall, study quality was rated as low (child median score = 3/10, range = 0–9; adolescent median score = 3/10, range = 2–5) with three child studies classified as high quality (6/10). Research evaluating the effect of child and adolescent obesity treatment trials on physical activity is limited in both quantity and quality. Studies testing innovative, theoretically driven treatment approaches that use robust methodologies are required to better understand generalizable approaches for promoting physical activity participation among obese youth.

Young People, Physical Activity And The Everyday: The Life Activity Project, Jan Wright, Doune Macdonald

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

I want to achieve a lot with my career and work wise so I know I have to put in the hours but then I feel like I’m missing out on the rest; like the social life, you know, just going for a bike ride, taking the kayak out, motorbike. And when you do think, alright, I’ve got the time to do it you are just so worn out that you just don’t want to do it. It’s too much effort. So you just feel tired all the time.

The Role Of Biographical Characteristics In Preservice Classroom Teachers' School Physical Activity Promotion Attitudes, Collin Webster, Eva Monsma, Heather Erwin

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Recommendations for increasing children’s daily physical activity (PA) call on classroom teachers to assume an activist role at school. This study examined relationships among preservice classroom teachers’ (PCT; n = 247) biographical characteristics, perceptions and attitudes regarding school PA promotion (SPAP). Results indicated participants who completed SPAP-related college coursework and had PA-related teaching/coaching experiences reported higher SPAP competence. Significant relationships were found among BMI, personal PA competence and SPAP competence in the contexts of PE and extracurricular settings. Personal PA competence and SPAP competence at recess and in the classroom predicted 19% of the variance in SPAP attitudes. Experiences in …

Building Community Partnerships To Enhance Participation In Sport And Physical Activity: Tertiary Institutions And Primary Schools, Kim Mckeen, Paul I. Webb, Philip J. Pearson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Decreasing levels of physical activity and increasing obesity levels amongst Australian children have received much attention in recent years, with research finding that the prevalence of overweight Australian children and adolescents, almost doubled during the ten year period from 1985-1995. Schools have been identified as one community setting that has the potential to address concerns regarding child physical activity and obesity levels by providing an environment which promotes lifelong physical activity, through both structured and unstructured programs.

Building Community Partnerships To Enhance Participation In Sport And Physical Activity: Tertiary Institutions And Community Sporting Associations, Philip J. Pearson, Paul I. Webb, Kim Mckeen

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Tertiary institutions are an excellent resource that can be accessed in order to assist the development of many sporting programs. The following are examples of the links that have been established between a number of community sporting associations interested in the promotion of physical activity, games and sport and a university located in NSW, Australia.

Building Community Partnerships To Enhance Participation In Sport And Physical Activity: Coach Education In Tertiary Institutions, Paul I. Webb, Philip J. Pearson, Kim Mckeen

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Since 1979 the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme has been established in Australia firstly under the Australian Coaching Council and more recently as a program of the Australian Sports Commission. The vision of the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme is "that all Australian sporting participants, irrespective of their age, gender, level of sporting ability or choice of sport, have access to highly qualified and experienced coaches," (Australian Sports Commisison,2000).

Relationships Between Fundamental Movement Skills And Objectively Measured Physical Activity In Pre-School Children, Dylan P. Cliff, Anthony D. Okely, Lief Smith, Kim Mckeen

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Gender differences in cross-sectional relationships between fundamental movement skill (FMS) subdomains (locomotor skills, object-control skills) and physical activity were examined in preschool children. Forty-six 3- to 5-year-olds (25 boys) had their FMS video assessed (Test of Gross Motor Development II) and their physical activity objectively monitored (Actigraph 7164 accelerometers). Among boys, object-control skills were associated with physical activity and explained 16.9% (p = .024) and 13.7% (p = .049) of the variance in percent of time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity, respectively, after controlling for age, SES and z-BMI. Locomotor skills were inversely associated with physical …

Physical Educators' Technology Competencies And Usage, Marianne L. Woods, Grace Goc Karp, Hui Miao, Dana Perlman

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of this study was 10 examine K-12 physical education teachers' perceptions of ability and usage of technology. Physical educators (n=114) completed the Physical Education Technology Usage Survey assessing their perceived technology competency, how and why they utilize technology, challenges they face in implementing technology, and where they learned to use technology. Results indicated a high level of perceived competency with many forms of technology but differences based on gender, teaching level, and years of experience. Low competency levels were shown for website creation, FDAs, heart rate monitors, and body composition analyzers. The teachers reported that student learning can …

Promoting Physical Activity Through Teaching Games For Understanding In Undergraduate Teacher Education, Kim Mckeen, Paul I. Webb, Philip J. Pearson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Physical education teachers play a significant role in influencing the likelihood that their students will engage in lifelong physical activity. However, with declining physical activity levels, particularly amongst young people, and the increased prevalence of obese and overweight children and adolescents, promoting lifelong physical activity is one of the many challenges currently facing physical education teachers. Teachers are required to engage students in quality learning opportunities to develop prescribed learning outcomes and skills, and make the experience enjoyable to enthuse young people to be physically active. This study examines whether teaching games for understanding (TGfU) and technique based pedagogy models …

Technology Use, Technology Views: Anticipating Professional Use Of Ict For Beginning Physical And Health Education Teachers, Lori Lockyer, John W. Patterson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

In Australia, the national initiative known as Learning in an Online World, focuses school jurisdictions across the country meet the challenge of achieving the national vision of all schools “…confidently using ICT in their everyday practices to improve learning, teaching and administration” (MCEETYA, 2005, p. 3). One strategy in reaching this goal is the effective preparation of pre-service teachers to use and integrate technology in their teaching and learning practices. This article reports on a research study that aimed to explore the issue preparation for use of technology in teaching by understanding the current and anticipated technology usage for Australian …

The Hikcups Trial: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Combined Physical Activity Skill-Development And Dietary Modification Program In Overweight And Obese Children, Rachel A. Jones, Anthony D. Okely, Clare E. Collins, Philip J. Morgan, Julie R. Steele, Janet M. Warren, Louise A. Baur, Dylan P. Cliff, Tracy Burrows, Jane Cleary

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing health issues of our time. Key health organizations have recommended research be conducted on the effectiveness of well-designed interventions to combat childhood obesity that can be translated into a variety of settings. This paper describes the design and methods used in the Hunter Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parent Support (HIKCUPS) trial, an ongoing multi-site randomized controlled trial, in overweight/obese children comparing the efficacy of three interventions: 1) a parent-centered dietary modification program; 2) a child-centered physical activity skill-development program; and 3) a program combining both 1 and 2 above. METHODS/DESIGN: Each …

Relationships Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity, Movement Competency And Psychosocial Outcomes In Overweight And Obese Children, Dylan P. Cliff, Anthony D. Okely, P Morgan, Julie R. Steele, Rachel A. Jones

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This study examined cross-sectional associations between physical activity and the psychosocial outcomes of self-esteem and health related quality of life (HRQoL), and fundamental movement skills (FMS) and psychosocial outcomes in overweight/obese children. Measures were collected from 165 overweight/obese children aged 5-9y (mean age = 8.2 + 1.1; mean BMI-z = 2.81 + 0.71, 41% boys) as part of the Hunter and Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parent Support (HIKCUPS) RCT. Baseline data, split by gender, were used to explore relationships between activity/FMS variables and psychosocial outcomes for boys and girls separately. Measures included objectively measured physical activity (Actigraph 7164 accelerometer), video-assessed …

From Surviving To Thriving: An Induction Program For Early Career Teachers Of Personal Development, Health And Physical Education, Gregg S. Rowland, Douglas Hearne, Ann Mccormack

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper is a discussion of a project with both face-to-face and online components designed to support early career teachers from the key learning area of Personal development.

Physical Education Research From Postmodern, Poststructural And Postcolonial Perspectives, Jan Wright

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Physical education research drawing on poststructuralist and postmodernist approaches is relatively new. At this point in time there seems to be a notable absence of research in physical education drawing on postcolonial theory and agendas, although the relevance of such an approach to research in the field is one that will be argued in this chapter. Whether researchers describe their work as postmodern or poststructural tends to be determined by whether they are researching in a North American context or UK, European, Australian and New Zealand context. In many cases, there is no explicit indication as to whether researchers identify …

From Surviving To Thriving: The Use Of Information And Communication Technology In An Induction Program For Early Career Teachers In Personal Development, Health And Physical Education, Douglas Hearne, Gregg S. Rowland, Amy L. Webb

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper is a discussion of a project with both face-to-face and online components designed to support early career teachers from the key learning area of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) across three teacher employing authorities in New South Wales, Australia. The project was initiated in 2004 by the Australian Council for Health Physical Education and Recreation, NSW (ACHPER) in conjunction with the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme. Supporting all aspects of the project is the BEST:PDHPE (Beginning and Establishing Successful Teachers) website that has been developed to provide resources and communication tools. Research associated with the project …

Game Sense Online - Utilising The Web For The Professional Development Of Physical And Health Education Teachers, Philip J. Pearson, Jacob Towns, Gregg S. Rowland, Paul Webb

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

In 2005, a new Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) Years 7–10 Syllabus will replace the current syllabus and be implemented with Year 7 and Year 9 students in NSW secondary schools. Informed by contemporary research, the new syllabus represents changes to both the content and the teaching strategies traditionally utilised by teachers. One area that has undergone major changes within the syllabus has been that of the teaching of games, with the move towards a Game Sense framework. It is expected that the implementation of the new syllabus will also be accompanied by a variety of traditional professional …

Becoming A Beginning Teacher: An Online Mentoring Experience For Pre-Service Physical And Health Educators, Douglas Hearne, Lori Lockyer, Gregg Rowland, John Patterson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

A key feature of any professional education is opportunity for students to engage in meaningful practical learning experiences. In pre-service teacher education, the practicum is a central component. However, due to increasing student numbers and limited resources in university and school sectors, the practicum has undergone challenges in recent years. As a result, innovations to enhance the practical component of this professional degree have been sought. This paper highlights the findings of one aspect of a larger study that used asynchronous Web-based communication tools to facilitate mentoring and peer support through the practice teaching experience. Analysis of qualitative data including …

Designing And Researching A Youth Development Model For Physical Activity Participation, Jan Wright, Stuart Woodcock, Jeanette Webb

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The project to be described in this paper was originally conceived in the context of research that points to depression as a major factor influencing the health and well-being of young women (Biddle 1995; Yarcheski 2001) and other research that suggests a relationship between participation in physical activity and improvements in the protective factors associated with depression.

An Online Mentoring Practicum In Physical And Health Education Teacher Preparation: Preliminary Findings And Future Directions, Douglas Hearne, Lori Lockyer, Gregg S. Rowland, John W. Patterson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

An important aspect of any professional education is the opportunity for students to engage in meaningful practical experiences. In pre-service teacher education, this vital practicum component has undergone challenges in recent years due to increasing student numbers (due to the increasing demand for new teachers) and limited resources in university and school sectors. As a result, new innovations to enhance the practical component of this professional degree have been sought.

This paper highlights preliminary findings of one aspect of a larger study that used asynchronous Web-based communication tools to facilitate mentoring and peer support through the practice teaching experience. Analysis …

Integrating Technology To Enhance Teaching And Learning In Physical And Health Education: An Activehealth Framework, Gregg S. Rowland, Douglas Hearne, Lori Lockyer, Philip J. Pearson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

In an era of limited resources across educational sectors, academics associated with faculties of education are under increasing pressure to find innovative ways to support their teaching and research activities - activities with which collaboration and interaction with pre-service teachers, practicing teachers and fellow academics is crucial. As such, developing a sustained community that involves such representative members is paramount for academics. A team at the University of Wollongong has initiated this concept through research and development of the ActiveHealth learning community for physical and health educators. Whilst it is envisaged that such a project will take time to establish, …

The Development Of An On-Line Learning Community Of Physical And Health Education Professionals, Lori Lockyer, Gregg S. Rowland, John W. Patterson

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

While ad hoc, course-specific projects have allowed early adopters to explore possible innovations in the use of information and communication technologies in facilitating flexible learning situations, educational institutions are now exploring more integrated strategies to such developments. This paper describes the development of one such strategy that attempts to foster a community-wide approach for a group of professionals coming to terms with the most effective way to utilise technologies -- physical and health educators. The Faculty of Education at University of Wollongong is developing an on-line learning community to facilitate the pre-service education and continuing professional development of students, faculty …

Nsw Schools Fitness And Physical Activity Survey, Michael Booth, P Macaskill, L Mclellan, P Phongsavan, Anthony D. Okely, John W. Patterson, Jan Wright, Adrian Bauman, Louise Baur

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.