ERIC Number: EJ1412546
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2471-1616
EISSN: EISSN-2471-1624
A Forced Shift: Effects and Outcomes of Online Higher Education Physical Activity Courses
Brooke C. Towner; Robert S. Broce; Rebecca A. Battista; Richard W. Christiana
International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, v8 n1 p24-36 2024
Higher education institutions often provide physical education activity courses designed to meet learning outcomes associated with physical activity. However, these activity courses were shifted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the impact of an online learning environment on educational outcomes of physical activity courses. Final reflection assignments from a variety of 7-week activity courses were analyzed. Students reflected on the execution of a personal fitness plan, goals, goal progress, barriers, and personal impact on purposeful physical activity. Qualitative document analysis was used to determine themes and to identify patterns. Four major categories emerged across the reflections: physical activity plan, motivation, barriers, and future plans. Students discussed creating and modifying individual physical activity plans. Motivating factors for physical activity were both internal and external, including class accountability and available time and locations to be active. A variety of barriers were identified, including illness and injury and psychosocial factors. Finally, students indicated a desire to continue to be active beyond the class environment. Overall, our results suggest students still met learning outcomes even in online learning environments. In fact, students were able to retain the well-being benefits typically associated with physical activity. Additionally, these courses provided a sense of accountability and students felt the instructors played a key role in their overall enjoyment.
Descriptors: Educational Change, Online Courses, Physical Education, Higher Education, Outcomes of Education, COVID-19, Pandemics, Physical Activities, Student Motivation, Barriers, Accountability, Well Being, Student Attitudes, Teacher Student Relationship, Undergraduate Students
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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: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A