An Online Course to Prepare Preservice Teachers to Promote Movement Integration

Abstract

ABSTRACTPrevious research has not explored the potential of distance learning to prepare preservice teachers (PCTs) for promoting children’s physical activity. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the perceptions and experiences of PCTs, inservice classroom teachers, university instructors, and elementary students who were involved in a semester-long distance delivery course that included a service-learning (SL) component with an emphasis on classroom movement integration (MI). Using a qualitative single case study design, interviews, observations, and artifacts (e.g. PCTs’ reflections and academic work) were thematically analyzed. Findings produced three themes including student-centered approach, benefit/importance of physical activity, and connect and reflect. These themes showed that participants’ perceptions and experiences support constructivist-guided SL using a distance delivery design. This study adds to the emerging research base on school-university partnerships to support schools in the implementation of comprehensive school physical activity programming.