Teaching health in physical education: An action research project

Abstract

In the Norwegian curriculum for physical education (PE), health is one of several topics students should learn about. However, the way in which many educators conceptualize health can impact both what students learn and how health is taught in PE. According to Mong and Standal (2019) , differences in terms of the conceptualizations of health can also lead to differences in teachers’ didactical approaches. This article is based on an action research project in which the overall goal was to investigate how didactic work can contribute to developing the teaching of health in PE. The project included an action research phase and qualitative interviews. The project, conducted in Norway, lasted almost one school year and was divided into two units. One teacher and 48 students aged 14–15 years participated in the action research project, which included eight lessons. We conducted qualitative interviews with the teacher and six students after the completion of the action research phase. In our analysis, we identified three topics addressed by both the students and the teacher, namely ‘the use of logbooks as a method for reflection’, ‘awareness of health as a knowledge object’ and ‘developing confidence in how to teach health’. Through the use of a didactic approach to health, both the students and teacher developed new reflections on and awareness of health. The findings indicate that it was professional development which subsequently impacted didactic decisions, dialogues about how health was taught and the teacher’s confidence in teaching health.

A Time in Research A Comparison Study between Two Studies before and during Covid-19 Pandemic in Physical Education Policies and Practices

“…The findings indicate that it was professional development which consequently impacted improving decisions, dialogues about how health was taught and the teacher's confidence in teaching health. 13 (Mong, Hanne H, 2022) Physical Education (PE) is often viewed as a marginal subject within the curriculum. Research shows that PE is helping to improve psychological health, nurture social and moral development by way of supporting cognitive and academic performance.…”

Action Research to Improve Online Teaching and Learning Activities at STIE Indonesia Banjarmasin

“…Action research is a circular process with steps that include planning, development and reflection with the aim of changing existing practices (Mong & Standal, 2022). In this study modified the steps action research cycle described by Casey et.al.…”

The relationship between physical activity and the health of primary and secondary school teachers: the chain mediating effects of body image and self-efficacy

“…In addition, under the assessment criteria dominated by teaching performance, the teaching pressure and work intensity of primary and secondary school teachers have gradually increased, and some primary and secondary school teachers have developed such bad habits as smoking and alcoholism [2], which, coupled with the heavy teaching load, has further compressed the time for physical activities of primary and secondary school teachers, causing some primary and secondary school teachers to develop different degrees of psychological illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, and even high blood pressure, Coronary heart disease, obesity and other chronic diseases.In summary, the academic community has paid little attention to the health of the primary and secondary school teacher population, with existing research focusing on sociological and medical areas such as burnout, health inequalities [3], and unhealthy lifestyles, and relatively neglecting the constraints of teachers' self-efficacy, body intention, and other own psychological factors on their health levels. The study helps to fill the knowledge gap in the existing literature on the relationship between health and physical activity among primary and secondary school teachers [4], providing a foundation for future research. By gaining a deeper understanding of this relationship, researchers can provide theoretical and empirical support to promote further academic exploration and practice in related fields, thereby advancing the field as a whole [5].…”