The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Sport Education model on participation and skill improvement of students in elementary physical education class. Forty-two 6th-graders (21 boys and 21 girls) were selected from an elementary sch...
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Sport Education model on participation and skill improvement of students in elementary physical education class. Forty-two 6th-graders (21 boys and 21 girls) were selected from an elementary school located in a metropolitan area. The teacher used Sport Education model (Siedentop, 1994). Five students in each team were assigned to various roles such as players, encouragers, captains, referees, and recorders. A total of 12 Sport Education model classes using basketball lead-up games were performed between September 14th and November 15th in 2001. A teacher diary was kept to obtain the teacher's perceptions of Sport Education model. Student perceptions were obtained using questionnaires and interviews. Skill tests were given to students to determine skill improvement. Video tapes were observed to determine if attitude and skill improvement occurred.
First, the students who participated in Sport Education unit showed high ALT-PE levels in addition to low off-task levels. Motor appropriate behavior of high-skilled students was 44.6%; average-skilled students, 41.3%; and low-skilled students, 31.2%. Meanwhile, off-task behavior was 0.2% for high skilled students; 1.7% for average-skilled students; and 7.6% for low-skilled students. It can be concluded that Sport Education appears to be a means to effectively teach sport in elementary school physical education classes.
Second, a correlated t-test which was used to examine pretest and posttest scores indicated that students participated in Sport Education unit had improved significantly their skill level in passing, dribbling, and shooting, especially those of the average students.
Third, the teacher was satisfied with the results obtained from the ALT-PE data and the skill analysis. Through action research, the teacher justified using Sport Education model in elementary physical education setting.
Fourth, students liked the format of Sport Education. The students liked affiliation with a team, the formal competitions, the long season, keeping records, and the culminating events.