ERIC Number: EJ1437503
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0316-1218
EISSN: N/A
Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers' Perceptions of Anticipated Challenges and Needs during Teacher Education Programs
Audrey-Anne de Guise; Stéphanie Girard; Maude Boulanger
Canadian Journal of Higher Education, v54 n1 p1-13 2024
Given that teacher dropout is an issue for beginning teachers, it is important to be proactive in order to retain teachers within the profession. Physical Education pre-service teachers' education programs represent a crucial part of their professional development in preparing them to face the challenges that often explain retirement, especially students' motivation. Authors recognize the importance of considering pre-service teachers' needs during teacher education programs and their concerns about the challenges to be faced once they start teaching (Richards et al., 2013). Using a qualitative approach, this study aims to: (1) identify pre-service Physical Education teachers' perceptions of anticipated challenges in general, (2) identify the specific challenges they anticipate about supporting students' motivation and (3) describe how they can be prepared to support students' motivation. Participants consisted of 18 pre-service Physical Education teachers (M[subscript age] = 25; SD = 3.61 years) from French-language universities in Quebec (Canada). Four focus groups were conducted, and data were analyzed consistent with the four steps suggested by Boutin (2007). Results indicate that the main challenges anticipated by pre-service Physical Education teachers are classroom management and students' lack of motivation. In terms of supporting students' motivation, five specific challenges were highlighted: (1) student heterogeneity, (2) proposal of learning activities to support motivation, (3) student engagement, (4) management of disengaged students, and (5) gender differences. As for their needs during teacher education program, participants wished to learn how to plan motivational strategies, be given more opportunities to practice, and discuss how to implement these strategies. Recommendations for teacher education programs are discussed in the conclusion.
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Physical Education Teachers, Barriers, Student Needs, Preservice Teacher Education, Student Attitudes, Student Motivation, Classroom Techniques, Student Diversity, Learning Activities, Learner Engagement, Student Behavior, Gender Differences, Foreign Countries
Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: http://journals.sfu.ca/cjhe/index.php/cjhe/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A