The purpose of this study is to analyze actual cases of physical education (PE) classes using smart devices in secondary schools and to explore specific measures to promote their implementation, in line with the emphasis on cultivating digital literac...
The purpose of this study is to analyze actual cases of physical education (PE) classes using smart devices in secondary schools and to explore specific measures to promote their implementation, in line with the emphasis on cultivating digital literacy in the 2022 Revised Curriculum. This study aims to improve the quality of PE instruction and provide foundational data to encourage students’ proactive participation and interest.
To achieve these objectives, three PE teachers from secondary schools in the J region –with substantial experience conducting PE classes utilizing smart devices- were selected as participants, along with a review of relevant literature. The collected data were analyzed using case analysis and inductive categorical analysis. To ensure the credibility of the findings, member checking and expert review were conducted.
First, the primary motivations for introducing smart devices in PE classes included changes in the educational environment due to COVID-19, the need for learner-centered instruction, and teachers’ own digital experiences. Teachers highlighted that smart devices enabled students to analyze their movements and visualize their learning data, thus fostering a self-directed learning environment.
Second, in actual classroom practice, smartphones, tablets, and laptops were used across various PE domains such as challenge, competition, and expression. Teachers employed innovative methods beyond traditional skill-based instruction, including video-based task presentation, outcome sharing for mutual feedback, and digital literacy instruction through short-form content creation. These practices enhanced student understanding and engagement, while affording teachers greater flexibility to provide individualized feedback.
Third, for the effective implementation of smart device-based PE instruction, it was found that not only physical infrastructure-such as device availability-is essential, but also the enhancement of teachers’ EdTech competencies and sufficient time for instructional design. Furthermore, a balanced approach is necessary to ensure that smart device use does not reduce students’ physical activity time.
Although this study is limited by its small sample size and regional scope, it provides practical insights for PE teachers seeking to integrate smart devices into their classes and contributes to the digital transformation of physical education by highlighting the real-world experiences of practitioners.