Abstract

Objectives This study explores how the teacher agency of adapted physical education teachers is expressed in their subject, and what contextual factors affect the teacher agency in various special education settings.
 Methods A qualitative case study method was used for six adapted physical education teachers working at special education sites in various regions. Educational data of research participants were collected through in-depth interviews. Data analysis was conducted inductively by harnessing Priestley et al.’s (2015) ecological perspective as a theoretical framework.
 Results Adapted physical education teachers proactively practiced physical education when they understood the context of the situation and formed their own firm belief, while endeavouring to teach their subject consistently in any environment. The manifestation of teacher agency was promoted when the belief and values of physical education formed from teachers’ previous life experience matched with any one of the cultural, structural, and social contexts. In addition, factors that facilitated the manifestation of teacher agency include the school culture that is permissive for major subjects, the support from fellow teachers and important people, and the proper physical environment for physical education classes. On the other hand, barriers to the manifestation of teacher agency were the discourse taking adapted physical education as an integrated subject and stressing individualised education for students subject to special education as opposed to school curriculum, on-site atmosphere that does not recognise adapted physical education, the absence of physical environment support, limited emphasis on their role as special teachers, and lack of reflection on their major subject. In addition, despite the agreement between the repetitive and evaluative dimensions, fear of the projective dimensions also acted as a barrier.
 Conclusions Based on the findings, this study suggested the possibility that adapted physical education teachers proactively manifest teacher agency, the need for incumbent teacher education for adapted physical education, and the atmosphere to recognise special education as a school curriculum and institutional measures to improve this.

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