Stacey BellLoyola UniversityED 670.52-Research & Inquiry

Action Research Proposal

Introduction:

Area of Focus Physical Education “Cliques”1. Athletes2. Walkers

3. INACTIVE

Introduction:

Personal Lens• Community and Secondary Health Degree• Health certification – taught all health for one

year.

Introduction:

Personal Lens• Introduction to Physical Education• Taught three health classes• Taught two aerobics classes• Taught one dance for athletes class

Introduction:

Personal Lens• Physical Education Certification• Taught first Fitness for Life class

* Lack of dress* Lack of participation* Failing grades

Setting:

Public High School – Anne Arundel County• 2400 students• 173 teachers• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)• International Baccalaureate (IB)• Middle Years Program

Setting:

Diverse Population• Caucasian• African American• Asian• Indian• Hispanic• ESL

Key Terms:

1. Fitness Gram – Computerized reporting system that assesses activity related fitness.

2. Motivation – Students show a willingness to engage and improve in physical education.

3. Performance – Accomplishing a given task measured against known standards of completeness.

How can I effectively use Fitness Gram Technology to increase the

motivation to succeed in high school Physical Education classes?

Rationale:

Students• Improve grades• Have to pass PE to graduate• Improves health

Literature Review:

Common Themes• Intended Use of Fitness Gram• Improving Physical Educators’ Motivation

Techniques• Improving Physical Education Students’

Performance

Literature Review:

Intended Use of Fitness Gram• To promote lifelong physical activity among

children k-12.• Personal fitness testing• Institutional testing• Parental reporting• Personal tracking

Literature Review:

Improving Physical Educators’ Motivation Techniques• Motivate you to get into your fitness zone.• Learning environment should exude positive

attitude.• Positive relationship between students and

physical activity.

Literature Review:

Improve Physical Education Students’ Performance• Evaluate students on effort and improvement.• Performance feedback• Goal progress feedback• Accountability

Methodology:

Qualitative• Class Participation• More students dressing

Quantitative• Improvement of student’s scores

Methodology:

Preliminary Data Collection1. Observation2. Questionnaires3. Fitness Gram Data

Methodology

Evaluation of Intervention1. Observation2. Fitness Gram Data

Procedures of Verification3. Direct quotes4. Copies of fitness testing given to students

and parents.

Methodology:

Participants• Mostly ninth graders• Inactive students• Struggling students• Students are selected from three Fitness for

Life Classes

Methodology:

Ethical Considerations• Parent permission form• Voluntary participation• Questionnaires are anonymous• Administration will be informed of project• Board will be informed of project

Action Planning:

Proposed Intervention• Small Groups lead by P.E. teacher

* Flexibility* Muscular Endurance*Cardiovascular Endurance

Action Planning:

Proposed Intervention• Meet for 15 – 20 minutes at beginning of 90

minute class period.• Set goals according to fitness weakness.• Motivate and encourage students to improve

Fitness Gram scores.

Action Planning:

Members of Research Team• Stacey Bell• Nick Klug• Jeff Martin(Fitness for Life teachers)

Action Planning:

Negotiations to be Undertaken• Parent permission form – signed and returned

by student and parent.• Fitness Gram Questionnaire – answered by all

participants to assess lack of success.

Action Planning:

Timeline• 16 weeks from a 18 week semester• Weeks 1-2 - Introduction to course, uniform,

and participation. • Weeks 3-4 – Fitness Gram testing, measure

height and weight.• Week 4 – Meet with team to discuss struggling

students. Administer questionnaire.

Action Planning:

Timeline• Weeks 5-9 – Set fitness goals for students.

Work toward improving scores by introducing basic exercises.

• Week 10 – Re-test students on Fitness Gram. Discuss new scores and set a new goal to improve and be successful.

Action Planning:

Timeline• Weeks 11-15 – Continue to use individual and

partner exercises to increase flexibility, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance.

• Week 16 – Post Fitness Gram testing. Show students new measurements and assess improvement.

Action Planning:

Resources• Questionnaires• Fitness Gram Technology• Journal for field notes• Equipment used in P.E. class

References:Beighle, A., Pangrazi, R. P., & Vincent, S. D. (2001). Pedometers, Physical Activity, and

Accountability. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 72(9), 16-16-19Biddle, Stuart J. H., & Wang, C. K. John, (2003). Motivation and Self-perception Profiles and Links

with Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls. Journal of Adolescence, 26, 687-701Cochran-Smith, Marilyn, Lythle, & Susan L., (1990). Research on Teaching and Teacher Research:

The Issues that Divide. Educational Researcher. 19(2), 2-11Didgelidis, Nikolaos, Papaioannous, Athanasis, & Laparidis, Konstantinos, Christodoulidis,

Triantafillou (2003). A One-Year Intervention in 7th Grade Physical Education Classes Aiming to Change Motivational Climate and Attitudes Toward Exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 4, 195-210

Duda, J. L. (1996). Maximizing Motivation in Sport and Physical Education among Children and Adolescents: The Case for Greater Task Involvement. Quest 48, 290-302

Duda, J. L. & Hall, H. (2001). Achievement Goal Theory in Sport: Recent Extensions and Future Directions. In R. N. Singer, H. A. Hausenblas, & C. M. Janelle (Eds), Handbook of Sport Psychology, 417-443, New York: Wiley.

Ernst, Michael P., Corbin, Charles B., Beighle, Aaron, & Pangrazi, Robert P., (2006). Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of FITNESSGRAM: A Commentary. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 3(2), S90-S100

Ernst, M. P., Pangrazi, R. P., & Corbin, C. B, (1998). Physical Education: Making a Transition Toward Activity. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 69(9), 29-29-32

Goswami, D., & Stillman, P., (1987). Reclaiming the Classroom: Teacher Research as an Agency for Change. Upper Montclair, NJ: Boynton/Cook.

Hill, G. M. (2000). Ten Ways to Get Kids Excited About Running. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 71(4), 25-25-28

Johnson, Andrew P., (2008). A Short Guide to Action Research Third Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Koka, A., & Hein, V., (2003). Perceptions of Teacher’s Feedback and Learning Environment as Predictors of Intrinsic Motivation in Physical Education. Psychology of Sport and Exercise 4, 333-346

Mertler, C. (2006). Action Research: Teachers as Researchers in the Classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Meredith, Marilu D., & Welk, Gregory J., (2005). FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM Test Administration Manual: Third Edition. Dallas, TX: The Cooper Institute.

Ortiz, Jose, (2009, September 5). Are You Fitter Than a Fifth Grader?. Retrieved from http://southorange.patch.com/articles/are-you-fiftter-than-a-fifth-grader-8.Papaioannou, A., & Kouli, O. (1999). The Effect of Task Structure, Perceived Motivational Climate and Goal Orientations on Students’ Intrinsic Motivation and Anxiety. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 11, 51-71Van Der Horst, K., Paw, M.J. Chin A., Twisk, J. W. R., & Van Mechelen, W., (2007). A Brief Review on Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentariness in Youth, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(8), 1241-1250Van Yperen, N. W., & Duda, J. L. (1999). Goal Orientations, Beliefs about Success, and Performance Improvement Among Elite Dutch Soccer Players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 9(6), 358-364Walcolt, Dennis M., (2010, June 16). Chancellor Klein Asks Parents to Review School Fitness Reports with Their Children. NYC Department of Education. Retrieved from http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/mediarelations/NewsandSpeeches/2009-2010/fitnessgram061610.htm#.TfaNfJysfz8;email.Walkuski, Jeffrey J. & Masterson, Carolyn, (2005). Developing Health-Related Fitness: It Takes More than a Week! [Abstract]. A Journal for Physical and Sports Educators, 18(3), 35-38Whitehead, James R., Corbin, Charles B., (1991). Effects of Fitness Test Type, Teacher, and Gender on Exercise Intrinsic Motivation and Physical Self-Worth. Journal of School Health, 61(1), 11-16Wiersma, Lenny D. & Sherman, Clay P., (2008). The Responsible Use of Youth Fitness Testing to Enhance Student Motivation, Enjoyment, and Performance. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 12, 167-183