Beliefs of German Prospective Physical Education Teachers: A Qualitative Examination Through the Lens of Teaching Quality

Abstract

Purpose: Prospective physical education teachers (PPETs) acquire beliefs during acculturation, which is the time before teacher education begins. Beliefs are based on shared experiences and influential in PPETs’ professional development. We examined German PPETs’ shared beliefs through the lens of teaching quality, comprising classroom management, student support, and cognitive activation. Method: Three focus group discussions were conducted, in which 13 German PPETs were instructed to work on shared lesson planning. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: The PPETs believed that physical education should enable students’ participation in sports. Therefore, classroom management was reflected as “managing a physical education class as a prerequisite for the complexity of teaching.” Student support was reflected as “providing easy access to sports for all students.” Cognitive activation was reflected as “disregarding cognitive activation in favor of transmissive teaching.” The PPETs drew on their own physical education experiences as former students. Conclusion: Longitudinal studies focusing on cognitive activation are recommended.