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Character development through physical education : perspectives of PE teachers
Author
Chan, Marie Poh Suan
Supervisor
Lee, Bervyn
Abstract
If physical education (PE) embodies character development and is the edification of moral values, are PE teachers teaching values and character in their PE classes? This descriptive study aimed to determine the current status, support and level of character development in the PE classes of PE teachers who believe in the importance of such development. It aimed to establish how these PE teachers facilitate the teaching processes, the difficulties they face and the contributing success factors. It also intended to elicit the beliefs, values, perspectives, and challenges that PE teachers have regarding the teaching of values in their PE classes, and to identify a common set of core values that they desire in their students. A total of five PE teachers participated in the study by completing a questionnaire and having at least one of their PE lessons videotaped and analysed. The results indicated that the respondents tried to teach character education during their PE classes but the majority did not have a structured Physical Education-Character Development Programme (PECDP). The respondents believed that it was their moral responsibility to inculcate values and build character in their students. They generally would like to have resources, guidelines, training and more curriculum time to teach character and promote values in their PE classes. They believed that PE was a good channel to teach moral values to students because PE is holistic in its nature, philosophy and aims. The respondents felt that by integrating character development into PE, it would be a fun out-of-classroom environment to teach values and character. PE was able to offer the experiential learning environment for moral issues to be discussed and addressed. The seven common core values that PE teachers desired in their students were integrity, determination, discipline, cooperation, sportsmanship, perseverance, and excellence.
Date Issued
2005
Call Number
GV365.5.S55 Cha
Date Submitted
2005