The authors present two beginning studies. One investigated the teaching-style preferences of young adults, and the other looked at physical activity trends within this age group. One key to understanding young adults and physical activity is to recognize the importance of participant cognition on physical activity patterns. From this…

Teacher knowledge is a key to effective teaching. Understanding teacher knowledge can help educators understand teacher practices. It was the purpose of this study to examine teachers' knowledge about the use of direct, peer, and inquiry teaching models. Thirty-two teachers, representing both elementary and secondary levels, were interviewed. Data…

This study investigated the stability of physical education teachers' attitudes toward four outcome goals for physical education over a 2-year period of time. The four outcome goals were physical activity and fitness, self-actualization, motor skill development, and social development. Participants for this study were 121 physical education…

The current need for physical activity has extended beyond the limited time given to students in physical education classes. In order for students to receive appropriate levels of physical activity (i.e., at least 60 minutes per day), it is necessary for physical educators to incorporate physical activity opportunities outside the traditional…

Discusses specific strategies that elementary school teachers can use to design positive assessment experiences that will motivate their students. Strategies and recommendations are grounded in goal-orientation and cognitive-evaluation theory. The paper focuses on meaningfulness of activities, student improvement, student optimism and confidence,…

It was the purpose of this study to examine students' perspectives on three teaching strategies. Seventy middle school students were interviewed, and they rank ordered the strategies. A constant comparison process guided the interview data analysis, while the rank order data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and a Friedman Analysis of…

Schools are frequently seen as the solution to social problems, and recent public health issues such as the near epidemic rates of obesity and diabetes are some of the newest pressures facing schools. This investigation is an exploration of physical education teachers' reactions to one school district's attempts to mandate a public health driven…

The purpose of this study was to examine students' reports of misbehavior in physical education class. Secondary school participants (N = 2,309) completed a previously validated instrument designed to measure students' reports of 59 student behaviors occurring in classes that might affect class management (e.g., from talking to bringing weapons to…

This study investigated the relationship between physical education teachers' attitudes toward physical activity and fitness and what they taught in their classes. Participants were 42 elementary and secondary physical education teachers selected according to high physical activity and fitness attitude or low physical activity and fitness attitude…

This study used an emotional geographies theoretical framework to analyze the emotional dimensions of urban teacher change. Fifteen urban physical education teachers involved in a comprehensive curriculum reform project were interviewed and observed multiple times across one school year. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis, and…

Developed and calibrated health-related fitness portfolios for elementary students using the Rasch model, examining advantages and disadvantages. Physical educators graded the portfolios. Rating scores were analyzed using the Rasch model. Results indicate that using Rasch calibration, measurement problems related to conventional practice can be…

A multiple-phase study was conducted to develop a reliable and valid instrument to examine teachers' attitudes toward teaching physical activity and fitness. Thirty-one subjects participated in the preliminary study involving the development of an attitude instrument. Subjects for the content validity study were 28 experts in physical education…

The dual purposes of this study were to examine teachers' experiences with and perceptions of Mosston's Spectrum of Teaching Styles and to compare and contrast teachers' and students' perceptions of and experiences with the spectrum. A teaching styles survey instrument was also validated in this study. Participants were 212 physical education…

Developed a valid, reliable physical education teachers' physical activity self-efficacy scale for teaching classes in which students were engaged in high levels of physical activity. Results offer preliminary support for the psychometric properties of this instrument, which can help understand physical education teachers' efficacy in overcoming…

Investigated relationships between teachers' belief systems toward physical activity and fitness and what they taught. Researchers observed teachers with high and low physical activity and fitness beliefs, measuring instructional behaviors related to physical activity and fitness. No differences surfaced between groups in percent of class time…