Elementary School Teachers’ Avoidance of Model-Based Physical Education Lessons: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

PURPOSE This study sought to explore elementary school (ES) teachers' avoidance of teaching model-based instruction (MBI) in physical education (PE) lessons. METHODS An open-ended questionnaire (n=93) and three focus group interviews (FGI ) were conducted with seven ES teachers. The collected data were analyzed using grounded theory analysis procedures (Strauss & Corbin, 1997). RESULTS Accordingly, we derived a grounded theory paradigm model composed of the core phenomenon (ES teacher’s avoidance of MBI in PE lessons), causal conditions (traditional difficulties of Elementary PE lessons, mismatch between MBI and ES teachers/PE lessons, lack of experience and teacher knowledge for/in MBI), contextual conditions (complex instructor organization, powerful trend of play), intervening conditions (value orientation for fun-focused PE, misunderstanding about PE curriculum), interactive strategies (focus on screening physical activities, preparing for PE lessons with YouTube rather than teacher guide book), and results (learner inclusive effects and de-curricularization). CONCLUSIONS ES teachers’ avoidance of MBI in PE lessons is a result of several reported problems with elementary PE lessons and is likely to be a recurring problem in the future. To encourage ES teachers’ MBI in PE lessons, efforts should be made to build practical knowledge of model use in pre- and in-service teacher education.

Keywords

• model-based instruction
• physical education teaching models
• elementary physical education
• elementary school teachers
• grounded theory