Sociology of sport began to take shape as a subdiscipline in the mid-1960s, and the quotes presented in the first part of this article provide a useful orientation to this formative period and to some of the most important developments in methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and topics of study that have occurred since then. This article offers…

This paper highlights events and issues in the development of physical education as a school subject. From the origin of physical culture in the German and Swedish "Battle of the Gymnastics Systems" to the advent of the New Physical Education in 1927, physical education curriculum has been a contested terrain. This remains true today as physical…

The process of teaching is complex and multidimensional. Teaching behaviors and actions are shaped by numerous cognitive decisions made by the teacher before, during, and after instruction. This article examines teacher cognition across the broad field of education and, more specifically, physical education in teacher planning, instruction, and…

Teacher education programs should include methods of promoting self-awareness in prospective physical educators. Suggested guidelines to help develop potential are listed, including increased autonomy; more adequate assumptions about reality, possibility, and value; improved competencies; and increased awareness and openness to experience.…

Discusses how physical educators contribute to social injustice and inequality through the hidden curriculum. The paper examines particular hidden social concepts, patterns, and characteristics that are often taught in physical education. It is argued that these concepts and patterns serve the interests of the dominant groups against the…

Physical education as a practical subject within a curriculum is often undervalued because the concept of practical knowledge is not sufficiently understood. Explanations that rely on propositional knowledge or practical reasoning are inadequate. This paper suggests that knowing how is an ambiguous concept, arguing that the performance itself…

The subjective warrant refers to an individual's perceptions of skills and abilities necessary for a specific occupation. Little attention has been given to recruitment or the subjective warrant in physical education. Implications for the subjective warrant are given. (Author/DF)

The paper addresses task presentation as an instructional event that is part of larger curricular concerns, summarizing research from classroom literature on teacher clarity and presenting information from physical education pedagogy research on task presentation. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues in delivering task presentations…

Argues that a physical fitness center may help in fostering in-school and out-of-school physical activity among high school students. A center, with an appropriate system of accountability and focusing on individual exercise and personal responsibility, may facilitate student participation and attainment of fitness objectives. (GLR)

Discusses the social-cultural context of people with disabilities, noting that in considering disability in a social-cultural context, the scholarly inquiry and professional practices in kinesiology and physical education must change. To do so requires both examination and challenge of the assumptions about disability, the body, and physical…

The objective of this article is to describe the historical development of sport and exercise psychology, with a particular emphasis on the construction and evolution of the "box" through history. The box represents the dominant paradigm that serves as the model for research and application as it evolves through successive historical eras (Kuhn,…

The results from a U.S. national survey of doctoral programs in kinesiology and physical education covering the years 2000-2004 are presented. The survey was conducted by the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education with all 61 institutions with doctoral programs (32 institutions provided complete data, 52%) invited to participate.…

Teachers should keep in mind four concepts when developing the physical education curriculum: (1) play as a method of fostering creativity; (2) ethical behavior in sports; (3) learning/teaching strategies; and (4) the values of freedom. (DF)

The article discusses the problems that prevent secondary school physical education teachers from using the theoretically sound pupil assessment practices that are taught in professional preparation courses. It suggests that teacher education programs must focus on making pupil assessment a priority throughout the program and instruct teachers on…

The components of the immediate environment in sport and physical education are discussed, and phenomena which make the organizational system open to a greater or lesser degree are explained. It is argued that a manager should accept some responsibility for society's welfare. (Author/MT)