An Investigation of Elementary School Physical Education Experiences of Selected Entering Education Majors.

Overview & Synopsis

The elementary school experiences of 418 entering education majors at the University of New Mexico were investigated to determine the extent to which early experience may or may not have influenced the students' choice of physical education as a career. Data was collected concerning the following variables: 1) number of students whose shools had elementary-level physical education specialists, as opposed to those that had a regular classroom teacher doubling as a physical education instructor; 2) the amount of time allotted to physical education activities; 3) teaching methods used by the students' instructors; 4) the equipment and facilities which were available; 5) the types of activities; and 6) the attitudes and perceptions education majors harbored regarding their elementary physical education experiences in general. A summary of research findings is included. (LH)