The investigation of the impact of physical education on social and emotional learning and executive function in high school students
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Brittany Russell-Belcher (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Ben Dyson
Abstract: High school physical education (PE) class offerings are on the decline, despite research that shows PE can contribute to overall academic success. Several factors contribute to academic success, particularly executive function, which is an umbrella term for the different cognitive and mental skills crucial for learning, and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) which are skills people acquire and can use in school and later in life. The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of PE on SEL and the impact of executive function in high school students. A mixed methods approach was used to collect executive function data and student interviews on a 9th grade PE class. An interpretive qualitative research approach guided the focus groups regarding SEL self-competencies in high school students for a unique student perspective of SEL. Executive function was assessed through the completion of a mobile flanker task that students took on school iPads at three time points in the school semester. A repeated measures ANOVA was used with SPSS statistical software to determine significance. Post hoc analysis with paired samples t-tests were done for significant values. Findings revealed students were able to give specific examples of SEL competencies they were introduced to during PE class as described through the focus groups that they were unable to do before. Executive function results uncovered that congruent reaction time (RT) trials yielded significant results. An assumption can be made that those students did improve in their general cognitive processing of information but not inhibitory control. Study findings can potentially be used to help reduce the marginalization of high school PE by demonstrating that PE with an emphasis on SEL can provide a more equitable and inclusive learning environment (James, 2011).
The investigation of the impact of physical education on social and emotional learning and executive function in high school students
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Created on 8/1/2023
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2023
- Keywords
- Executive Function, High School, Mixed Methods, Physical Education, Social and Emotional Learning
- Subjects
- Physical education and training $x Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Executive functions (Neuropsychology)
- Affective education