Event Title
Poster: Use of “Best Practices” by Middle School Physical Education Teachers
Location
Moakley Atrium
Start Time
14-5-2008 2:40 PM
End Time
14-5-2008 4:00 PM
Description
A commonly held notion is that many teachers use the Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAPs) to achieve the National Standards (NASPE, 2001). The only published report in this area focuses on the "best practices" of elementary PE teachers in a single school system (Logan, Lambdin, Ramirez, & Farr, 2000); therefore the purpose of the current study was to measure use of DAPs by middle school PE teachers in Massachusetts. Of the 248 teachers who were invited to participate, 177 completed the online survey; a response rate of 71%. The results showed that the most frequently used DAPs included 1) creating a non-threatening atmosphere for all (99%) 2) prohibiting the use of negative comments about classmates (95%) 3) encouraging achievement of all students (92%). Findings from the current study support results by Garrahy, Cothran, & Kulinna (2005) which suggest that teachers most frequently use classroom management practices and have less use of other DAPs that contribute to program development. Moreover, if we want physical educators to use DAPs more often, then curriculum development and assessment practices need to be emphasized in teacher development experiences.
Poster: Use of “Best Practices” by Middle School Physical Education Teachers
Moakley Atrium
A commonly held notion is that many teachers use the Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAPs) to achieve the National Standards (NASPE, 2001). The only published report in this area focuses on the "best practices" of elementary PE teachers in a single school system (Logan, Lambdin, Ramirez, & Farr, 2000); therefore the purpose of the current study was to measure use of DAPs by middle school PE teachers in Massachusetts. Of the 248 teachers who were invited to participate, 177 completed the online survey; a response rate of 71%. The results showed that the most frequently used DAPs included 1) creating a non-threatening atmosphere for all (99%) 2) prohibiting the use of negative comments about classmates (95%) 3) encouraging achievement of all students (92%). Findings from the current study support results by Garrahy, Cothran, & Kulinna (2005) which suggest that teachers most frequently use classroom management practices and have less use of other DAPs that contribute to program development. Moreover, if we want physical educators to use DAPs more often, then curriculum development and assessment practices need to be emphasized in teacher development experiences.