Online Physical Activity Program for Children with Special Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Educators’ Opinions

Authors

  • Sibel Nalbant Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University
  • Mehmet Dinc Antalya Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate
  • Ahmet Sansi Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the opinions of volunteer educators (VEs) on the online physical activity (OPA) process in which individuals with special needs participated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sample included students from the Alanya Aladdin Keykubat University Faculty of Sport Sciences who the VEs taught in the field of adaptive physical activity (APA) (n=13; 10F, 3M). The study was designed based on qualitative research using the case study method, one of the qualitative research techniques, and focus group interviews were conducted with VEs to collect data. Three major themes—“The effects of OPA,” “OPA adaptations,” and “ Difficulties Experienced and Recommendations” in the OPA process—have been used to organize the conclusions drawn from the opinions of the VEs. As a result, the study revealed that OPA was effective for both the psychomotor and effective development of individuals with special needs and positively altered the attitudes of VEs toward them. OPA favorably influenced VEs during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing better time management, increasing a sense of responsibility, and contributing to professional experience. OPA was also beneficial both for VE and individuals with special need families. However, the current study identified that individuals with special needs had communication issues, material, space, and problems with the internet connection during the OPA process; therefore, these issues should be addressed to perform the OPA process more productively. As a result, the study suggestively concluded that OPA was an alternative method to support the participation of individuals with special needs in physical activities.

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Published

2024-09-17

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Feature Articles

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