More school districts are being required to demonstrate that their students are reaching state standards and benchmarks. In order to demonstrate student learning and the achievement of the standards and benchmarks, physical education instructors need to determine what should be assessed and how to perform these assessments. Authentic assessments…

Results are reported from a study which found that specific verbal praise was effective in reducing off-task behavior of second grade students (N=3) in physical education. (IAH)

Provides middle school physical educators with new ideas for improving physical-fitness objectives in their physical-education curriculum, describing and presenting examples of novel and challenging warmup and physical-fitness activities. The activities focus on using colorful visual materials and popular music to enhance student motivation.…

Since engagement in physical activity is now identified as an important outcome for students, teachers need to assess their students in ways that measure that behavior. Assessment serves many purposes in an educational setting. It can provide feedback, drive instructional needs, and evaluate outcomes of both students and programs. If done…

Examined the effects of active supervision versus passive supervision on the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels of middle school students during fitness instruction. Mean MVPA levels were 49.7 percent during passive supervision and 68 percent during active supervision. This highlights the importance of active supervision within…

This study was conducted to validate the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) for measuring physical activity levels of high-school students. Thirty-five students (21 girls and 14 boys from grades 9-12) completed a standardized protocol including lying, sitting, standing, walking, running, curl-ups, and push-ups. Heart rates and…

Audio-cueing (prompting) is an effective intervention strategy to improve selected teaching behaviors (positive behavior feedback; positive specific skill feedback). The subject of the study was an experienced male elementary (K-8) physical education specialist. Post-checks revealed positive skill feedback improvement was sustained after 6 months,…

A study was made on the efficacy of prompting as a supervisory aid to preservice physical education teachers. Three student teachers were prompted in specific behaviors during teaching sessions with their students. Communication was by way of a wireless microphone and a FM receiver with mini-earphone. The students were prompted on: (1) use of…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether varying levels of expertise would produce differences in selected indicators of effective teaching performance. Eighteen elementary physical education teachers were grouped based on stages of pedagogical expertise development as suggested by Berliner (1988). The three groups included…

This pilot study used a task-analyzed performance base curriculum as an intervention on the gross motor development of 24 children aged three to six, 15 in a treatment group, 9 in a control group. Pre- and post-training data on gross motor development (relating to 10 motor skills) were collected using the Ohio State University Scale of Intra Gross…