Physical Education Teacher Education: The Past, Present, and Future Questions

Click name to view affiliation

Matthew D. Curtner-Smith Department of Kinesiology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

Search for other papers by Matthew D. Curtner-Smith in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6455-5476
and
Tim Fletcher Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

Search for other papers by Tim Fletcher in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7352-4775 *
Restricted access

The purpose of this article is to overview the history of research in physical education teacher education (PETE), discuss contemporary trends, and identify future directions for scholarship and teacher education practice. Teacher education is defined as formal and informal experiences that contribute to teachers’ education across their careers. Using the phases of occupational socialization and Kosnik and Beck’s “seven priorities of teacher education” to frame an analysis of literature from the 1980s through to the present, a brief summary of research on PETE is provided, using the chronological categories of past and present. The analysis takes into account implications for PETE that were left by the global pandemic, where traditional PETE practices were significantly disrupted by a shift to online learning. The chapter is concluded by listing questions regarding PETE that researchers and teacher educators might tackle in the future.

  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • Ayers, S.F., & Richards, K.A.R. (Eds.). (2019). PETE recruitment and retention: State of affairs. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 38(1), 13.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Barwood, D., Spears, L.T., O’Hara, E., & Penney, D. (2020). Deconstructing health and physical education teacher education: A mapping and analysis of programme structure and content in Australia. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 26(4), 417432.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Blankenship, B.T., & Coleman, M. (2009). An examination of “wash-out” and workplace conditions of beginning physical education teachers. The Physical Educator, 66, 97111.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Blankenship, B.T., & Templin, T.J. (2016). The decline and elimination of PETE: Implications for doctoral education. Quest, 68(4), 383393.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Brooks, C.C., & McMullen, J.M. (2020). Using social media: One physical education teacher’s experience. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 39(4), 464471.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Casey, A., & Fletcher, T. (2012). Trading places: From physical education teachers to teacher educators. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 31(4), 362380.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Choi, S.M., Sum, R.K.W., Wallhead, T., Ha, A.S.C., Sit, C.H.P., Shy, D.Y., & Wei, F.M. (2020). Preservice physical education teachers’ perceived physical literacy and teaching efficacy. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 40(1), 146156.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Culp, B. (2020). Everyone matters: Eliminating dehumanizing practices in physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 92(1), 1926.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D. (1996). The Impact of an early field experience on preservice physical education teachers’ conceptions of teaching. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 15(2), 224250.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D. (1997). The impact of biography, teacher education, and organizational socialization on the perspectives and practices of first-year physical education teachers: Case studies of recruits with coaching orientations. Sport, Education and Society, 2, 7394.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D. (1999). The more things change the more they stay the same: Factors influencing teachers’ interpretations and delivery of national curriculum physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 4, 7597.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2001). The occupational socialization of a first-year physical education teacher with a teaching orientation. Sport, Education and Society, 6(1), 81105.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2009). Breaking the cycle of non-teaching physical education teachers: Lessons to be learned from the occupational socialization literature. In D.L. Housner, M.W. Metzler, P.G. Schempp, & T.J. Templin (Eds.), Historic traditions and future directions of research on teaching and teacher education in physical education (pp. 221226). Fitness Information Technology.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2017). Acculturation, recruitment, and the development of orientations. In K. Lux Gaudreault & K.A. Richards (Eds.), New perspectives on teacher socialization in physical education, (pp. 3346). Taylor & Francis.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D., Baxter, D.S., & May, L.K. (2018). The legacy and influence of Catherine D. Ennis’s value orientations research. Kinesiology Review, 7(3), 211217.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D., Hastie, P.A., & Kinchin, G.D. (2008). Influence of occupational socialization on beginning teachers’ interpretation and delivery of sport education. Sport, Education and Society, 13(1), 97117.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Curtner-Smith, M.D., & Sofo, S. (2004). Influence of a critically oriented methods course and early field experience on preservice teachers’ conceptions of teaching. Sport, Education and Society, 9, 115142.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Darling-Hammond, L. (2009). Recognizing and enhancing teacher effectiveness. The International Journal of Educational and Psychological Assessment, 3, 124.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Doolittle, S.A., Dodds, P., & Placek, J.H. (1993). Persistence of beliefs about teaching during formal training of preservice teachers. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 12(4), 355365.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dyson, B. (2014). Quality physical education: A commentary on effective physical education teaching. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 85(2), 144152.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dyson, B., Howley, D., & Wright, P.M. (2021). A scoping review critically examining research connecting social and emotional learning with three model-based practices in physical education: Have we been doing this all along? European Physical Education Review, 27(1), 7695.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Fletcher, T., Lodewyk, K., Glover, K., & Albione, S. (2018). Learning to become instructional coaches in health and physical education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 37(4), 313321.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gaudreault, K.L., Richards, K.A.R., & Mays Woods, A. (2018). Understanding the perceived mattering of physical education teachers. Sport, Education and Society, 23(6), 578590.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Goodyear, V.A., & Casey, A. (2015). Innovation with change: Developing a community of practice to help teachers move beyond the “honeymoon” of pedagogical renovation. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 20(2), 186203.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Graber, K.C. (1991). Studentship in preservice teacher education: A qualitative study of undergraduate students in physical education. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 62(1), 4151.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Harvey, S., Curtner-Smith, M., & Kuklick, C. (2018). Influence of a models-based physical education teacher education program on the perspectives and practices of preservice teachers. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, 9(3), 220236.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hastie, P.A., & Siedentop, D. (1999). An ecological perspective on physical education. European Physical Education Review, 5(1), 930.

  • Hendry, L.B. (1978). Conflicts in the curriculum: An example from physical education. Educational Research, 20(3), 174180.

  • Hordvik, M.M., Haugen, A.L., Engebretsen, B., Møller, L., & Fletcher, T. (2020). A collaborative approach to teaching about teaching using models-based practice: Developing coherence in one PETE module. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 26(5), 433447.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hordvik, M.M., MacPhail, A., & Ronglan, L.T. (2017). Teaching and learning sport education: A self-study exploring the experiences of a teacher educator and pre-service teachers. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 36(2), 232243.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Jess, M., McMillan, P., Carse, N., & Munro, K. (2021). The personal visions of physical education student teachers: Putting the education at the heart of physical education. The Curriculum Journal, 32(1), 2847.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Jewett, A.E., & Bain, L.L. (1985). The curriculum process in physical education. Wm. C. Brown.

  • Keay, J. (2009). Being influenced or being an influence: New teachers’ induction experiences. European Physical Education Review, 15(2), 225247.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kirk, D. (2009). Physical education futures. Routledge.

  • Kosnik, C., & Beck, C. (2009). Priorities in teacher education: The 7 key elements of pre-service preparation. Routledge.

  • Kwon, J.Y., Kulinna, P.H., van der Mars, H., Amrein-Beardsley, A., & Koro-Ljungberg, M. (2019). Comprehensive school physical activity programs preparation in physical education teacher education programs. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 38, 271276.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lacey, C. (1977). The socialization of teachers. Methuen.

  • Lawson, H.A. (1983a). Toward a model of teacher socialization in physical education: The subjective warrant, recruitment, and teacher education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 2(3), 316.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lawson, H.A. (1983b). Toward a model of teacher socialization in physical education: Entry into schools, teachers’ role orientations, and longevity in teaching. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 3(1), 315.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lawson, H.A. (1986). Occupational socialization and the design of teacher education programs. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 5(2), 107116.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lee, H.M., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2011). Impact of occupational socialization on the perspectives and practices of sport pedagogy doctoral students. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 30(3), 296313.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Locke, L.F. (1977). Research on teaching physical education: New hope for a dismal science. Quest, 28(1), 216.

  • Locke, L.F. (1982). Research on teaching physical activity: A modest celebration. In M.L. Howell & J.E. Saunders (Eds.), Proceedings on the VII Commonwealth and International Conference on Sport, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (pp. 189198). Brisbane, Australia, Department of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Locke, L.F. (1984). Research on teaching teachers: Where are we now? Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 2, 386.

  • Lortie, D.C. (1975). Schoolteacher; A sociological study. University of Chicago Press.

  • Luguetti, C., Kirk, D., & Oliver, K.L. (2019). Towards a pedagogy of love: Exploring pre-service teachers’ and youth’s experiences of an activist sport pedagogical model. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 24(6), 629646.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Luguetti, C., & Oliver, K.L. (2021). A transformative learning journey of a teacher educator in enacting an activist approach in physical education teacher education. The Curriculum Journal, 32(1), 118135.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lynch, S., & Kuntz, A. (2019). A critical autoethnography of a doctoral students’ research journey: Learning to take risks in the academy. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, 10(2), 156171.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Macken, S., MacPhail, A., & Calderon, A. (2020). Exploring primary pre-service teachers’ use of ‘assessment for learning’ while teaching primary physical education during school placement. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 25(5), 539554.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Marttinen, R., Johnson, I., Richards, K.A.R., Goh, T.L., & Ramsey, V. (2021). Recruiting for our future: Your help is needed. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 92(1), 35.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • May, L.K., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2021a). “My mindset has completely shifted from asking what to asking why and how:” Influence of two effective and expert teachers’ value orientations on their curricula and pedagogies. European Physical Education Review, 27(3), 543558.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • May, L.K., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2021b). Impact of two preservice teachers’ value orientations on their interpretation and delivery of the skill themes approach. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 40(4), 598605.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McCuaig, L., & Enright, E. (2016). Effective physical education teacher education: A principled position perspective. In C.D. Ennis (Ed.), Routledgehandbook of physical education pedagogies (pp. 428446). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McEvoy, E., MacPhail, A., & Heikinaro-Johanssen, P. (2015). Physical education teacher educators: A 25-year scoping review of literature. Teaching and Teacher Education, 51, 162181.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Merrem, A.M., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2018). Occupational socialization of sport pedagogy faculty: Two German case studies. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 37(2), 154163.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Mosston, M. (1981). From command to discovery: A spectrum of teaching styles. Merrill.

  • Mosston, M., & Ashworth, S. (2008). Teaching physical education (1st online ed.). http://www.spectrumofteachingstyles.org/ebook

  • Nixon, J.E., & Locke, L.F. (1973). Research on teaching physical education. In R.M.W. Travers (Ed.), Second handbook of research on teaching (pp. 12101242). Rand McNally & Company.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • O’Brien, W., Adamakis, M., O’ Brien, N., Onofre, M., Martins, J., Dania, A., Makopoulou, K., Herold, F., Ng, K, & Costa, J. (2020). Implications for European physical education teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-institutional SWOT analysis. European Journal of Teacher Education, 43(4), 503522.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • O’Bryant, C.P., O’Sullivan, M., & Raudensky, J. (2000). Socialization of prospective physical education teachers: The story of new blood. Sport Education and Society, 5, 177193.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • O’Sullivan, M. (1989). Failing gym is like failing lunch or recess: Two Beginning teachers struggle for legitimacy. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 8(3), 227242.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Park, C., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2018). Influence of occupational socialization on the perspectives and practices of international sport pedagogy faculty members working in American universities. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 37(4), 397406.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Parker, M., & Patton, K. (2016). What research tells us about effective continuing professional development for physical education teachers. In C.D. Ennis (Ed.), Routledgehandbook of physical education pedagogies (pp. 447460). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Parkes, C., & Hempill, M.A. (2021). What occupational socialization factors influence preservice teachers to possess fitness orientations? Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 40(2), 199206.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Prior, L.F., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2020). Effects of occupational socialization on United States secondary physical education teachers’ beliefs regarding curriculum design. European Physical Education Review, 26(1), 179197.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Quennerstedt, M. (2019). Physical education and the art of teaching: Transformative learning and teaching in physical education and sports pedagogy. Sport, Education and Society, 24, 611623.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Richards, K.A.R., Jacobs, J.M., Ivy, V.N., & Lawson, M.A. (2020). Preservice teachers perspectives and experiences teaching personal and social responsibility. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 25(2), 188200.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Richards, K.A.R., & Ressler, J.D. (2016). A collaborative approach to self-study research in physical education teacher education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 35(1), 7075.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Richards, K.A.R., Templin, T.J., & Graber, K. (2014). The socialization of teachers in physical education: Review and recommendations for future works. Kinesiology Review, 3(2), 113134.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rink, J.E. (1985). Teaching physical education for learning. Mosby.

  • Rink, J.E. (1989). Two decades of research on teaching: Where are we now? [Conference session] R. Tait Mackenzie Symposium, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rossi, T., Sirna, K., & Tinning, R. (2008). Becoming a health and physical education (HPE) teacher: Student teacher ‘performances’ in the physical education subject department office. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(4), 10291040.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rovegno, I. (1993). Content-knowledge acquisition during undergraduate teacher education: Overcoming cultural templates and learning through practice. American Educational Research Journal, 30(3), 611642.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schempp, P.G. (1989) Apprenticeship of observation and the development of PE teachers. In T. Templin & P. Schempp (Eds.), Socialization into physical education: Learning to teach (pp. 1338). Benchmark Press.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Shulman, L.S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1), 123.

  • Siedentop, D. (1983). Research on teaching in physical education. In T. Templin & J. Olson (Eds.), Teaching in physical education (pp. 315). Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Silverman, S. (1991). Research on teaching in physical education. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 62(4), 352364.

  • Smith, M.D. (1993). An examination of a generic field experience from a physical education perspective. The Physical Educator, 50, 151168.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sofo, S., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2010). Development of preservice teachers’ value orientations during a secondary methods course and early field experience. Sport, Education, and Society, 15(3), 347365.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Solmon, M.A., Graber, K.C., Woods, A.M., Williams, N.I., Templin, T.J., Price, S.L., & Weimer, A. (2020). Physical education teacher education in kinesiology: Past, present, and future. Kinesiology Review, 9(4), 305312.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sparkes, A.C. (1987). Strategic rhetoric: A constraint in changing the practice of teachers. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 8(1), 3754.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Stran, M., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2009). Influence of occupational socialization on two preservice teachers’ interpretation and delivery of the sport education model. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28(1), 3853.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Stroot, S.A., Faucette, N., & Schwager, S. (1993). In the beginning: The induction of physical educators. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 12(4), 375385.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Templin, T.J., Graber, K.C., & Richards, K.A.R. (2019). Will PETE survive in the 21st century? Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 38(1), 6874.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Tousignant, M., & Siedentop, D. (1983). A qualitative analysis of task structures in required secondary physical education classes. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 3(1), 4757.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Van Nuland, S., Whalen, C., & Majocha, E. (2020). Teacher recruitment and retention in Canada: Programmes for teacher selection, support and success. In T. Ovenden-Hope & R. Passy (Eds.), Exploring teacher recruitment and retention (pp. 163175). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Varea, V., & González-Calvo, G. (2020). Touchless classes and absent bodies: Teaching physical education in times of COVID-19. Sport, Education and Society, 26(8), 831845.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Vollmer, C.E., & Curtner-Smith, M.D. (2016). Influence of acculturation and professional socialization on preservice teachers’ interpretation and implementation of the teaching games for understanding model. The Physical Educator, 73(1), 7496.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Walton-Fisette, J.L., & Sutherland, S. (2018). Moving forward with social justice education in physical education teacher education. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 23(5), 461468.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ward, P. (2013). The role of content knowledge in conceptions of teaching effectiveness in physical education. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 84(4), 431440.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ward, P. (2016). Policies, agendas, and practices influencing doctoral education in physical education teacher education. Quest, 68(4), 420438.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ward, P. (2019). Chapter 2: The teacher pipeline for PETE: Context, pressure points, and responses. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 38(1), 413.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ward, P., Tsuda, E., Dervent, F., & Devrilmez, E. (2018). Differences in the content knowledge of those taught to teach and those taught to play. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 37(1), 5968.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Whitehead, M. (2001). The concept of physical literacy. European Journal of Physical Education, 6(2), 127138.

  • Wilson, W.J., & Richards, K.A.R. (2019). Socialization of preservice adapted physical educators: Influence of teacher education. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 36(4), 472491.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Zeichner, K.M. (1983). Alternative paradigms of teacher education. Journal of Teacher Education, 34(3), 39.

  • Zeichner, K.M., & Tabachnik, B.R. (1983, April). Teacher perspectives in the face of the institutional press [Conference session]. The Annual Meeting of the AERA, Montreal, ON, Canada.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3165 3165 236
Full Text Views 78 78 9
PDF Downloads 85 85 15