Student attitudes toward physical education at the intermediate school level

• Main Author: King, Margaret H., 1954-
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Education
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1994
• Subjects: Physical education and training > Newfoundland and Labrador; Junior high school students > Newfoundland and Labrador > Attitudes; Students > Newfoundland and Labrador > Attitudes; Canada; Newfoundland; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses2/id/64429

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1995. Education Bibliography: leaves 201-214. Student attitudes toward physical education were examined in 726 students aged 12 to 15 in grades 7, 8, and 9 in six intermediate schools in St. John's, Newfoundland. Analysis of variance was used to ascertain the differences in students' responses to a variety of program aspects including: specific interest in physical education, the connotation of physical education, teacher attributes, teaching methodologies, the status of physical education, the physical education curriculum, the benefits of participation in physical education, and adolescent disturbances. Each program aspect was examined by student age, gender and grade, teacher gender, class grouping, perceived body build, perceived level of fitness, and perceived level of sports ability. -- The attitudes of female students were significantly more positive than those of male students for the younger age group, while after the age of 14 the reverse was true. There were no significant differences in students' responses by teacher gender or class groupings of coeducational and single-gender. -- A multiple regression analysis indicated that the status of physical education, the connotation of physical education, and adolescent disturbances were the most important factors in relation to students' attitudes toward physical education. -- The implications of the study's findings for physical education and recommendations for program changes are presented. Recommendations for future studies are also suggested.