Elementary Physical Educators' Perspectives of Curriculum And
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University of Northern Colorado Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC Dissertations Student Research 9-21-2015 Elementary Physical Educators’ Perspectives of Curriculum and Instruction in the United States and Thailand Udon Nampai Follow this and additional works at: http://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Nampai, Udon, "Elementary Physical Educators’ Perspectives of Curriculum and Instruction in the United States and Thailand" (2015). Dissertations. Paper 307. This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © 2015 UDON NAMPAI ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Greeley, Colorado The Graduate School ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATORS’ PERSPECTIVES OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES AND THAILAND A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Udon Nampai College of Natural and Health Sciences School of Sport and Exercise Science Sport Pedagogy August, 2015 This Dissertation by: Udon Nampai Entitled: Elementary Physical Educators’ Perspectives of Curriculum and Instruction in the United States and Thailand has been approved as meeting the requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in College of Natural and Health Sciences in School of Sport and Exercise Science, Program of Sport Pedagogy Accepted by the Doctoral Committee __________________________________________________________________ Mark Smith, Ph.D., Research Advisor __________________________________________________________________ Jennifer Krause, Ph.D., Co-Research Advisor __________________________________________________________________ Brian Dauenhauer, Ph.D., Committee Member __________________________________________________________________ Eugene Sheehan, Ph.D., Faculty Representative Date of Dissertation Defense _________________________________________ Accepted by the Graduate School ___________________________________________________ Linda L. Black, Ed.D., LPC Dean of the Graduate School and International Admissions ABSTRACT Nampai Udon. Elementary Physical Educators’ Perspectives of Curriculum and Instruction in the United States and Thailand. Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2015. The purpose of this study was to explore the beliefs, perspectives, and opinions of physical education (PE) teachers regarding PE curriculum (the content and teaching styles, the purpose of PE, and the potential improvements related to PE curriculum) at the elementary level by: (a) examining current curricular and instructional practices and perspectives of exemplary Thai PE teachers; and (b) examining curriculum development and instructional practices of current exemplary PE teachers in the United States (U.S.). The participants were eight exemplary PE teachers. A semi-structured interview design was utilized in order to gather information of participants’ perspectives. Each interview lasted approximately 45 minutes. All interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed for analysis. Data collection occurred in three ways: (a) in-depth semi- structured interviews; (b) documents; and (c) semi-structured follow-up interviews. Data were analyzed using a thematic coding method in order to find the significant statements that related to research questions. The findings regarding the purpose of elementary PE indicated that the participants in the U.S. thought it should focus on educating students about the value of physical activity and lifelong healthy lifestyles and promote fun and enjoyment in PE classes. Participants in Thailand shared that the purpose should emphasize the development of good fundamental skills and engage students so that they iii develop a love for and good attitudes in PE. For PE content, participants in the U.S. thought it should include five areas: movement skills, emotional and social skills, physical fitness and personal wellness, prevention and risk management, and basic sport skills. Participants in Thailand shared that PE content should include: movement skills, basic sport skills, Thai traditional games, and morality. Findings related to teaching styles found that participants in the U.S. implemented: peer teaching; cooperative learning; direct instruction, demonstration, and feedback; and personal responsibility. Participants in Thailand utilized group process, demonstrating skills, and self-study and multimedia. In addition, findings also indicated that all participants in Thailand implemented standards provided by the Ministry of Education of Thailand. Participants in the United States adhered to the district, state, or national standards as a guide to create PE curriculum. The findings from this study will provide a clearer understanding of how PE teachers in each country feel regarding the elementary PE curriculum. Especially for PE teachers in Thailand, they will learn new knowledge to improve elementary PE pedagogy through higher quality elementary PE curricula in Thailand. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The success of my journey could not have happened without many people who were part of this journey. First of all, I would like to thank you, my research advisor, Professor Mark Smith, and Co-research advisor Dr. Jennifer Krause. Both of you were so kind to give guidance and support throughout this process. I really appreciate that. Professor Mark, you are the best. Moreover, thank you, committee members, Dr. Brian Dauenhauer and Dr. Eugene Sheehan, for support and advice so that I could complete my degree. I would also like to thank you, participants from schools in both Thailand and the United States who gave me opportunities to listen to experiences and perspectives in physical education. I gained such wonderful knowledge. To my doctoral candidates and friends who also supported me: Cathy, Caly, Abdual, Guntima, Erica, Kin, Kevin, Casey, Raveema, and Weeramol. Thank you all for cheering, especially Cathy, Caly, and Weeramol. You are such nice mentors and without your help and feedback, I know that my journey to succeed would have been harder. In addition, there is no way that I could have done this without the big support and opportunities from Dr. Jongrak Krainam, my chairperson at Kasetsart University Laboratory School: International Program (Satit Kaset IP). Thank you so much for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to learn with experts in the field of physical education in the sport pedagogy program. I promise that, based on my knowledge and experience, I will try my best to improve and promote physical education programs and v help all children in Satit Kaset IP to receive high-quality participation in physical education. Moreover, thank you for taking care of my wife and my daughter during my time abroad. These opportunities cannot compare with other opportunities. Your support and kindness means so much to me in terms of my life and my family. Without your support, I do not think this journey or this success would have happened. Thank you Dad, Tongsuk, and Mom, Aumporn, who gave me a chance and encouraged me until the end of my journey. Both of you are in my heart always. I am so lucky that I was born your son. Also, thank you, Manus, my younger brother, for taking care of Dad and Mom. Without you, I may not have been able to concentrate on moving forward to this point. Thank you my wife, Praphaphun, and my cute daughter, Thunjira, who created such a power in my heart. You both encouraged and pushed me to move forward and get it done. I love you both so much. This success is for both of you. Lastly, thank you Tongin, my aunt, and Wasun, my brother, who both passed away—Wasun, before I came here, and Tongin, during my studies. Both of you were the best brother and the best aunt who helped with everything. I do not know how to explain, but both of you are always on my mind. Rest in peace and do not be concerned with the rest of our family. I will take care of them. Finally, the success of my journey is valuable to apply the knowledge and experiences developing Thai children to gain a high quality of participating in physical education. Again, thank you all kinds of people who were involved that I mentioned above for supporting and cheering until the end of my journey. I really appreciate your kindness. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………… 1 Statement of the Problem Significance of the Topic II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE……………………..………………………. 12 Purpose and Standards of Physical Education in the United States and Thailand Content in Elementary Physical Education of the United States and Thailand Instructional Models for Elementary Physical Education in the United States and Thailand Conclusion III. METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………. 69 Epistemology Theoretical Perspective Methodology Participants Data Collection Data Analysis Trustworthiness Researcher Perspective and Bias IV. FINDINGS………………………………………………………………… 89 Construction of Themes The Purpose of Elementary Physical Education in Thailand Content in Elementary Physical Education Teaching Styles in Elementary Physical Education Implementation of and/or Following Physical Education Standards Purposes in Elementary Physical Education of the United States Content in Elementary Physical Education Teaching Styles in Elementary Physical Education