HomeWorld Education Connect Multidisciplinary E-Publicationvol. 4 no. 4 (2024)

Integration Of Structured Activities And Free Play In Teaching Physical Education: Challenges And Coping Strategies As Bases For Policy Recommendation

Johnsy L. Aposaga

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This qualitative study aimed to explore the challenges and coping strategies of 15 physical education (PE) teachers in Ajuy District, Iloilo during the school year 2023-2024 when integrating structured activities and free play in PE classes for intermediate learners. The phenomenological research design employed in-depth interviews. Teachers encountering difficulties in areas like maintaining student engagement, managing diverse learning needs, and overcoming resource constraints. Classroom management, time limitations, and integrating free play with skill development were additional challenges. Even with these obstacles, PE teachers demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development. Their coping strategies included adapting activities and resources, emphasizing classroom management and learner attention, and utilizing learner-centered approaches. The study recommends a multifaceted approach to support PE teachers. This includes providing professional development opportunities, allocating sufficient resources, and incorporating curriculum flexibility. Schools may create a more effective learning environment that fosters well-rounded student development.



References:

  1. Abdulla, A., Whipp, P. R., & Teo, T. (2022). Teaching physical education in ‘paradise’: Activity levels, lesson context and barriers to quality implementation. European Physical Education Review, 28(1), 225–243.
  2. Abid, T., Zahid, G., Shahid, N., & Bukhari, M. (2021). Online teaching experience during the COVID-19 in Pakistan: Pedagogy–technology balance and student engagement. Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 14(3), 367–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40647-021-00325-7
  3. Aeon, B., Faber, A., & Panaccio, A. (2021). Does time management work? A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0245066. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245066
  4. Alcántara-Porcuna, V., Sánchez-López, M., Martínez-Andrés, M., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., Ruíz-Hermosa, A., & Rodríguez-Martín, B. (2022). Teachers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators of the school environment for physical activity in schoolchildren: A qualitative study. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14(7), 1113–1137. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2037696
  5. Almusawi, H. A., Durugbo, C. M., & Bugawa, A. M. (2021). Innovation in physical education: Teachers’ perspectives on readiness for wearable technology integration. Computers & Education, 167, 104185.
  6. Alonzo, L. B. (2019). The role of free play in physical education classes: A study in the Philippines. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 6(1), 123–129.
  7. Åsebø, E.-K. S., & Løvoll, H. S. (2023). Exploring coping strategies in physical education: A qualitative case study. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 28(3), 291–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1976743
  8. Aquino, J. M. D. (2023). Assessing the role of recreational activities in physical education participation of college students in one state university in Laguna, Philippines. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences, 1(2), 190–204.
  9. Blažević, I., Benassi, L., & Šterpin, A. (2020). Material working conditions in teaching physical education. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 33(1), 1240–1254. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1719177
  10. Brusseau, T. A., Erwin, H., Darst, P., Walters, J., & Pangrazi, R. P. (2020). Dynamic Physical Education for Secondary School Students. Human Kinetics.
  11. Cojocaru, A.-M., Cojocaru, M., Jianu, A., Bucea-Manea-Țoniş, R., Păun, D. G., & Ivan, P. (2022). The impact of agile management and technology in teaching and practicing physical education and sports. Sustainability, 14(3), 1237. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031237
  12. Cruz, M. L. (2021). Challenges in the implementation of physical education in public elementary schools in the Philippines. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 9(3), 1051–1056.
  13. D’Isanto, T., Aliberti, S., Altavilla, G., Esposito, G., & D’Elia, F. (2022). Heuristic learning as a method for improving students’ teamwork skills in physical education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912596
  14. Dai, J., & Menhas, R. (2020). Sustainable development goals, sports and physical activity: The localization of health-related sustainable development goals through sports in China: A narrative review. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 13, 1419–1430. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S257844
  15. Eirín-Nemiña, R., Sanmiguel-Rodríguez, A., & Rodríguez-Rodríguez, J. (2022). Professional satisfaction of physical education teachers. Sport, Education and Society, 27(1), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1816540
  16. Forbes, J. N., Pablo, M. V., Paguio, J. J. A., Macatulad, K. N., Neypes, A. B., & Sinag, J. M. D. (2023). Physical activities: Challenges and opportunities among elderly in Salian, Abucay, Bataan. Puissant. Advanced Online Publication. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372550445
  17. Garcia, R. T. (2018). Effects of structured physical activities on the motor skills development of Grade 3 students. Journal of Education and Learning, 7(3), 181–186.
  18. Gray, S., Sandford, R., Stirrup, J., Aldous, D., Hardley, S., Carse, N. R., Hooper, O., & Bryant, A. S. (2022). A comparative analysis of discourses shaping physical education provision within and across the UK. European Physical Education Review, 28(3), 575–593. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X211059440
  19. Jääskä, E., Aaltonen, K., & Kujala, J. (2021). Game-based learning in project sustainability management education. Sustainability, 13(15), 8204. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158204
  20. Jenny, S. E., Krause, J. M., & Armstrong, T. (2020). Technology for Physical Educators, Health Educators, and Coaches: Enhancing Instruction, Assessment, Management, Professional Development, and Advocacy. Human Kinetics.
  21. Kinder, C. J., Gaudreault, K. L., & Simonton, K. (2020). Structured and unstructured contexts in physical education: Promoting activity, learning and motivation. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 91(6), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2020.1768181
  22. Koh, K. T., Li, C., & Mukherjee, S. (2021). Preservice physical education teachers’ perceptions of a flipped basketball course: Benefits, challenges, and recommendations. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 40(4), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2019-0195
  23. Invernizzi, P. L., Crotti, M., Bosio, A., Cavaggioni, L., Alberti, G., & Scurati, R. (2019). Multi-teaching styles approach and active reflection: Effectiveness in improving fitness level, motor competence, enjoyment, amount of physical activity, and effects on the perception of physical education lessons in primary school children. Sustainability, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020405
  24. Messing, S., Rütten, A., Abu-Omar, K., Ungerer-Röhrich, U., Goodwin, L., Burlacu, I., & Gediga, G. (2019). How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings. Frontiers in Public Health, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00055
  25. Mitchell, S. A., & Walton-Fisette, J. (2021). The Essentials of Teaching Physical Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Human Kinetics.
  26. Mohammed, S. H., & Kinyó, L. (2020). The role of constructivism in the enhancement of social studies education. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(7), 249–256. http://dx.doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.07.41
  27. Mok, M. M. C., Chin, M.-K., Korcz, A., Popeska, B., Edginton, C. R., Uzunoz, F. S., Podnar, H., Coetzee, D., Georgescu, L., Emeljanovas, A., & others. (2020). Brain breaks® physical activity solutions in the classroom and on attitudes toward physical activity: A randomized controlled trial among primary students from eight countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1666.
  28. Morales, M. A. (2017). The effectiveness of the Grade 1 Physical Education curriculum: Basis for a proposed teacher training program. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 4(1), 12–18.
  29. Nesbitt, D., Fisher, J., & Stodden, D. F. (2021). Appropriate instructional practice in physical education: A systematic review of literature from 2000 to 2020. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 92(2), 235–247.
  30. Olulowo, T. G., Ige, O. A., & Ugwoke, E. O. (2020). Using peer tutoring to improve students’ academic achievement in financial accounting concepts. Education Research International, 2020, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8871235
  31. Rentzou, K., Slutsky, R., Gol–Guven, M., Kragh-Müller, G., Tuul, M., & Paz-Albo, J. (2023). A cross-cultural study on factors affecting children’s agentic action in their play. International Journal of Early Childhood, 55(1), 89–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-022-00335-w
  32. Santos, J. R. (2020). The effectiveness of structured physical activities in enhancing students' teamwork and discipline in physical education. Asian Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 7(1), 35–42.
  33. Santos, L. M. Dos. (2021). Self-efficacy and career decision of pre-service secondary school teachers: A phenomenological analysis. International Journal of Instruction, 14(1), 521–536. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14131a
  34. Sato, T., Tsuda, E., Ellison, D., & Hodge, S. R. (2020). Japanese elementary teachers’ professional development experiences in physical education lesson studies. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 25(2), 137–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2019.1692808
  35. Sutapa, P., Pratama, K. W., Rosly, M. M., Ali, S. K., & Karakauki, M. (2021). Improving motor skills in early childhood through goal-oriented play activity. Children, 8(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/children8110994
  36. Quennerstedt, M. (2019). Healthying physical education—on the possibility of learning health. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 24(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2018.1539705
  37. Ramos, R. R. (2018). Readiness of physical education teachers in the implementation of the K–12 curriculum. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(9), 1038–1046.
  38. Ward, P., van der Mars, H., Mitchell, M. F., & Lawson, H. A. (2021). PK–12 school physical education: Conditions, lessons learned, and future directions. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 40(3), 363–371.
  39. White, R. L., Bennie, A., Vasconcellos, D., Cinelli, R., Hilland, T., Owen, K. B., & Lonsdale, C. (2021). Self-determination theory in physical education: A systematic review of qualitative studies. Teaching and Teacher Education, 99, 103247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2020.103247
  40. Williams, L., Martinasek, M., Carone, K., & Sanders, S. (2020). High school students’ perceptions of traditional and online health and physical education courses. Journal of School Health, 90(3), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12875