Dragon Dance: Reintegrating a Traditional Chinese Sports Event in Physical Education Teaching

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the status of using dragon dance as a tool in teaching physical education at the College of Science and Technology of Jiangxi Normal University. The output proposed a strategic plan for the integration of dragon dance into physical education. This study was be conducted in 2022/2023 academic year. The study purposively sampled two groups of respondents who are teachers and students belonging to the College of Science and Technology of the mentioned Chinese institution. The perceptions of both of the student-respondents on the integration of dragon dance in teaching physical education was assessed, with students’ information interpreted quantitatively through the gathering of the responses of the students using survey questionnaire. The teachers were interviewed about their perception pertaining to integrating the dragon dance in teaching physical education. Hence, the study utilized the descriptive-comparative correlational research design. Based on the study findings, The students perceived dragon dance to be useful at a high level in its cultural significance, usefulness for physical health and wellness, and for social entertainment and leisure. Students assessed dragon dance to be high-level useful for creative and cultural value, physical education, and for its collaborative use with technology. Female students have higher level of perception in terms of social entertainment and leisure compared to male students. There are no significant differences in the students’ assessment on the status of the use of dragon dance for teaching physical education among levels of age, sex, and year level in terms of usefulness to physical education, creative and cultural value, and collaborative use with technology. There are no significant relationships between the students’ perception on dragon dance during sports events and status of the use of dragon dance for teaching physical education. Finally, the strategic plan for the integration of dragon dance into physical education aimed to improve courses, stimulate students’ interest in dragon dance, adapt modern-day technology into dragon dance, use dragon dance to promote cultural value and significance, and to promote fitness and teamwork among students.