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