Track and Field Pedagogy: Practices, Trends, and Students' Engagement in Middle Schools

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the pedagogical practices and development patterns of track and field education at Xin Ying Middle School, as well as its link to student engagement, and to use the findings to design an enhanced model for sports education. The study utilized a quantitative approach utilizing the descriptive comparative - correlational research design to understand the relationships between the variables presented in the statement of the problem. This approach was used to evaluate the answers of instructors and students and to present the study findings. The research was conducted in Xin Ying Middle School among 100 students and 30 teacher respondents. The research made use of a self-made questionnaire as the research instrument that includes all the necessary information as reflected in the objectives of the study. The findings suggested that there are low levels of assessment on the current situation of pedagogical practices across all indicators as assessed by the students; and according to the teachers, very low level in curriculum and teachers’ level, and low level in facilities and teaching quality. Also, the school do not follow the development trends in track and field education as the teaching platforms are outdated. The results from the level of students’ engagement as assessed by the students and the teachers shows that the students are overwhelmed with the course, do not find the course interesting, always feel like they’re not doing well in the course, are losing interest in the course, and worry a lot about matters related to track and field. The assessment of the students differs significantly based on their year level in the variables of the present situation of pedagogical practices, indicating that students from different class level has different experiences on the pedagogical practices of track and field teachers. There are no significant differences in the overall assessment of the teachers and that of the students in development trends based on their demographic profiles, and over-all assessment of the students on the present situation is significantly higher compared to teachers. There is no relationship between the overall assessment of development trends and the current situation of pedagogical practices in track and field education of the school. The study developed a strategic plan that will help fix the findings on the low level of teaching experiences, outdated curriculum for track and field physical education classes, poor teaching quality, and lack of technological equipment and facilities for teaching track and field education of middle school students.