Descriptive Study of the Value Orientation of Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers in Henan Province, China

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of value orientation by gender and academic year in pre-service physical education teachers in Henan Province, China.
 Methods The subjects consisted of 307 students from the physical education departments of three universities located in Henan Province, China. The measurement tool was the VOI-Ⅱ Chinese version (Value Orientation Inventory-Ⅱ, Chen, 1997) reviewed by an expert group, and data were collected online through e-mail to pre-service physical education teachers in Henan Province, China.
 Results The results showed that first, there were 140 (45.61%) of pre-service physical education teachers with one high-priority value orientation, 20 (6.52%) of pre-service physical education teachers had two high-priority value orientations. Second, as a results of chi-square test by gender, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of their value orientation toward social responsibility (X2=3.903, p<0.05), but no statistically significant differences in the remaining four value orientation (SA-x2=0.894, LP-x2=3.666, EI-x2=1.330, DM-x2=0.009, p>0.05). Third, as a result of chi-square test by grade, there was no statistically significant difference for between 1st grade and 4th grade pre-service physical education teachers in five value orientation (DM-x2=0.012, LP-x²=0.650, SA-x²=0.045, SR-x²=2.006, EI-x²=1.071, p>0.05).
 Conclusions The results of this study are expected to enhance understanding of pre-service physical education teachers for the development of physical education in China in the future. Additionally, it is anticipated that the study will provide theoretical evidence to support the reform and development of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs in the future.