showing 8 related works from this author
Transformative Teaching and Learning Through Engaged Practice : Lecturers’ and Students’ Experiences in a University and Underserved Community Partne…
2018
peer-reviewed The Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Lifeskills (CWell) program is a two-year community-driven program developed in partnership between an underserved-community in Limerick City, and staff at the University of Limerick (UL), Ireland. This paper explores the transformative teaching and learning experiences that arose throughout the duration of the progam for the lecturers and students. Data were collected through interviews and focus groups with lecturers and students involved in the program. Students supported the notion of “learning differently” and focused around prior learning and attitude to learning, learning about learning and impact of learning. Lecturers…
Lessons learned from a community engagement initiative within Irish higher education
2018
This paper focuses on a community–university partnership built around a programme of study co-created by residents of a disadvantaged community and situated, for the most part, within that community. The aim of this paper is to share lessons learned from this community engagement initiative, as identified through a research study which ran concurrent to the programme. The study involved 41 interviews (18 individual interviews and 23 focus groups) over a two-year period with 28 participants. Participants included students, lecturers and community and university stakeholders. The finding section focuses on the characteristics of the initiative which allowed it to positively impact those invol…
Preparing physical and health education pre-service teachers to support students’ physical activity and wellbeing during the school day
2017
Increasingly, physical education teachers are expected to become the cog in an ever-expanding physical activity (PA) promotion wheel. This requires such teachers to be equipped with new knowledge a...
‘Drawing’ conclusions : Irish primary school children’s understanding of physical education and physical activity opportunities outside of school
2017
This study explores the relationship between primary school physical education and physical activity as sites for the practice of physical activity of Irish primary school children. Understanding how children make connections between physical activity sites is important in shaping physical education experiences that promote lifelong participation. Children’s (aged 8–11) awareness, knowledge, and understanding of physical activity and physical education were examined using participatory methods of ‘draw and write’ ( n = 135) and focus group interviews ( n = 34). In Phase 1, data collection focused on physical activity, while Phase 2 focused on physical education and connections between phys…
Physical education teacher educators’ views regarding the purpose(s) of school physical education
2015
The aim of this paper was to gain an understanding of the views of a group of physical education teacher educators on the purpose(s) of school physical education and whether, how and why these views have changed over time. Semi-structured individual interviews were carried out with thirteen physical education teacher educators; a fourteenth participant responded to interview questions in writing. Participants were based in seven countries: Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA. A relative consensus on the overarching purpose of physical education was evident, centred on physical education preparing young people for a lifetime of physical activity. The fram…
Physical education teacher educators: A 25-year scoping review of literature
2015
Abstract This paper presents a scoping review of literature on physical education teacher educators (1990–2014). The intent is to map research to date on this population and provide a useful context for the design and conduct of future scholarly inquiry. A total of 96 papers were included in the review. The included articles emerged from 15 countries and 25 journals. While much is known about US physical education teacher educators, there are many knowledge gaps regarding this population in other countries. The conclusions highlight a need for a co-ordinated approach to future research on physical education teacher educators.
Research lives of physical education teacher educators
2017
This paper aims to provide insights into the research worlds of an international group of mid- and late-career physical education teacher educators. Specifically, it explores participants’ motives for research engagement and choices, and investigates what challenges and facilitates their research efforts. Two rounds of individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 physical education teacher educators across 7 countries. Findings point to a distinction between research motives. Embarking on formal theses or specific funded projects was often motivated by practical and contextual drivers, such as job requirements or a wish for promotion, and was associated with feeling…
An exploration of the influence of professional relationships on the career pathways of physical education teacher educators
2018
This paper focuses on the professional journeys of 14 mid- and late-career teacher educators in seven countries in the subject area of physical education. Data was gathered through two rounds of semi-structured interviews and revealed a strong emphasis on the professional relationships impacting upon participants’ entry to and development within the profession. Career interest development, career choice and career performance were all affected by the people with whom participants formed relationships throughout their careers. The findings are discussed with reference to the role of teacher educators in selecting, encouraging and supporting their teacher education colleagues.