Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2006

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences

Department

Physical Education Teacher Education

Committee Chair

Lynn Housner.

Abstract

Objectives. This study examined the decision making process employed by two highly experienced teachers (HETs) and two less experienced teachers (LETS) as they planned for and taught lessons with two different class sizes; n=15-16 and n=30-31. A secondary purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of class size on teaching behaviors and student learning. Finally, this study used in-depth interviews to describe concerns associated with teaching and preparing lessons for classes of different size.;Design and setting. This was a mixed-methods study that utilized both behavioral analysis and qualitative methods of investigation. Qualitative methods included think-aloud, stimulated-recall techniques and semi-structured, open-ended interviews which were used to describe participants teaching concerns when dealing with class size. Quantitative methods included the use of the West Virginia University Teaching Evaluation System (WVUTES; Hawkins & Wiegand, 1989), and Field System Analysis (FSA; Sharpe & Hawkins, 1992) which were used to examine the influence of class size on teaching and student learning behaviors.;Subjects. Two highly experienced physical education teachers (HET1 and HET2) and two less experienced physical education teachers (LET1 and LET2, student teachers) were involved in this study. Pseudonyms were used for all participants in this study including: Erick Sam (HET1), Erin Hong (HET2), Nancy Young (LET1) and Nathan Smith (LET2). A total of 184 student participants were recruited from the two different elementary schools along with their cooperating physical education teachers.;Results. WVUTES data showed that HETs used similar instructional behaviors in terms of the amount, duration and frequency of feedback given during both classes. FSA revealed that all teachers provided individual feedback more often in smaller classes. Experienced teachers provided more individual feedback in larger classes, whereas their less experienced counterparts provided individual feedback more frequently only in smaller classes.;Conclusions. Smaller classes are more beneficial especially for less experienced teachers, due to the increase in frequency of individual feedback. Class size was an important consideration for planning, specifically selecting content and the organizational structure. Experienced teachers used multiple formations to deal with variations in class size. Less experienced teachers tend to use the one teaching format (either station or cohort) they were most comfortable with for both classes regardless of size. In this study, station teaching: (1) allowed students to concentrate better on instructional tasks; (2) reduced managerial tasks; (3) aided in the prevention off-task behaviors. Another critical component was the frequency of individual feedback, which kept students more active and engaged in class activities. Smaller class sizes appear more beneficial especially for less experienced teachers, due to the increase in the delivery of individual feedback.

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