TECHNOLOGY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER PREPARATION, A SUMMARY AND PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe a physical education teacher preparation program with a strong emphasis on teaching with technology, and its potential for generating applied research in a school-based context.  Referenced model is the master degree program forged by the University of Northern Iowa’s School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services in partnership with Grundy Center (Iowa) Community Schools and POLAR Electro, Inc.  The program format was conceived in order to link practice with theory in the preparation of physical education teachers as well as to encourage the introduction of technology and the use of consequent empirical data in establishing new lines of evidence based research.  Departing from a summary qualitative analysis of the theses and research papers delivered by the graduate students since the beginning of the program, propositions for future empirical testing on the usage of technology in physical fitness, the adoption and strengthening of their attitudes toward healthy active life styles, pedagogical applications, and community based impacts are delineated.  Exploration of action oriented research and presentation of an Evidence Based Pedagogy model is featured.