Original scientific paper
PHYSICAL EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF EIGHTH-GRADERS
Zvonimir Tomac
; Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Učiteljski fakultet u Osijeku, Hrvatska
Mara Šumanović
; Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Učiteljski fakultet u Osijeku, Hrvatska
Dražen Rastovski
; Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Učiteljski fakultet u Osijeku, Hrvatska
Abstract
The research aimed to explore the primary students' perception of Physical Education (P.E.). The sample consisted of 314 students (154 boys and 160 girls) in the eighth grade of primary schools in Osijek, Croatia. A questionnaire containing twelve items was designed for this purpose. The items referred to the subject as being interesting, comprehensible, difficult, useful for life now, useful for life in the future and popular. The obtained data was analysed by the use of descriptive statistics, factor analysis, ANOVA and post hoc analysis.
Results suggest that the majority of students find P. E. to be easy, interesting, comprehensible and useful for their life now. They feel safe during the classes and easily complete their tasks. One third of students do not recognise its usefulness for their life in the future, it is not their favourite subject, they would not like to have it more than twice a week, and they do not put much effort in it. The factor analysis reduced items to one dimension defined as popularity of the subject. It served as a variable used to determine the differences in students' perception based on independent variables. Very positive attitudes are found in boys and students that are more physically active. Students that do not like P.E. as much are girls and students whose favourite subjects are Maths and foreign language.
Keywords
primary school; Physical Education; students' perception
Hrčak ID:
121536
URI
Publication date:
13.6.2013.
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