Meaningfulness in Physical Education: A Description of High School Students' Conceptions

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Ang Chen, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: A theoretical framework distinguishing meaning and meaningfulness guided this study of high school students' conceptions of meaningfulness in physical education. A 9-dimensional meaningfulness construct was developed through analyzing former high school students' (N = 35) oral reflection on physical education. A 9-dimensional meaningfulness scale was prepared and administered to high school students (N = 698). The principal component analysis reduced the students' responses to a 6-dimensional construct: Social Bonding, Cultural Appreciation, Challenge, Tension Release, Fitness Development, and Self-Expression. The construct was modified through confirmatory factor analyses and had a Goodness of Fit Index of .91. The reconstruction demonstrated sophisticated internalization of perceived meaning by students. A MANOVA revealed that the students' conceptions of meaningfulness differentiated (p < .05) based on gender, grade, and socioeconomic status. The findings suggest that a pluralistic perspective be considered in curriculum design, given the sophistication and differentiation of students' conceptions of meaningfulness in physical education

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 1998, 17, 285-306
Language: English
Date: 1998
Keywords
Meaning, Motivation, High school, Students, Physical education

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