Student Attitude Toward Physical Education Before and After a Fitness Unit Integrated With Technology

• In Event: 34.079 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 34.079-4 - Political and Attitudinal Experiences Related to Physical Education

Abstract

Students’ attitude toward physical education (PE) was measured before and after a fitness unit. A new PE unit consisted of 12-lessons designed to deliver fitness-based knowledge and used accelerometers as a tool to measure and teach students about physical activity. Participants (N=221) were from six schools and were split between 6th (N=74), 7th (N=63), and 8th (N=84) grades. A total of 115 boys, and 106 girls participated. Students’ attitudes were positive overall, yet declined by age. Although attitude did not differ significantly by gender, enjoyment showed a significant interaction for time by gender. Changes also were found in attitude sub-factors over the course of the unit. Results showed attitude can change significantly over the course of a unit of instruction.

Authors

• Risto Marttinen, California State University - Fullerton

• Stephen Silverman, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Ray Noble Fredrick, Teachers College, Columbia University