Concerns of Physical Education Teachers

Amalia Karabekou, Mary Hassandra & Marios Goudas

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to adapt the questionnaire Teacher’ s Concerns Questionnaire – Physical Education (TCQ – PE; McBride, 1993) to the Greek population and to record the concerns of physical educa- tion students (PE) and physical educators for teaching PE at school. Participants were 205 PE students, with mean age 20.44 years, who were enrolled in four PE departments of higher education institutions. In addi- tion, 333 physical educators participated in the study (Mage= 33.39) with mean teaching experience of 2.82 years. Factor analysis revealed two distinct factors (direct and indirect) in the questionnaire. The internal re- liability index of the questionnaire was satisfactory. Participants were divided into two groups, A (PE edu- cators) and B (PE students). The comparison between groups showed that the students had significantly higher direct and indirect concerns as compared to the educators. Furthermore, female educators had sig- nificantly higher indirect concerns as compared to their male counterparts. In conclusion, the analyses pro- vide preliminary support for the psychometric properties of the questionnaire and the distinction ability between PE students and educators. Nevertheless, further examination is warranted in order to obtain addi- tional information concerning the difficulties of PE teaching.

Key words: Concerns, physical educators, physical education students

This research was conducted in order to study the opinion of Primary and High school students about the Olympic education course. Students attending the 5th to 6th primary school grade (N=164) and the 1st to

3rd high school grade (N=164) of randomly selected schools residing at the three main cities of Thrace (Xan- thi, Komotini and Alexandroupoli) participated in the study. Data were collected using the Athens 2004, Education and Training section Questionnaire, which was slightly modified for the purpose of the study. Frequencies and t-test were used for statistical analysis. According to the results, all the students demon- strated an overall positive opinion for the Olympic education course. The percentage of positive answers however, was significantly higher for primary comparing to higher school graders, which tended to be more reserved and uncertain. All the students gave different answers about the lesson’s contents, the sports that must be included in the lesson, the lesson’ s grading system and the time of the day that the lesson was cur- ried out. It was concluded that that the Olympic education course contributed in the acquirement of new knowledge and skills, promoted friendship and moral team play in an environment highly focused on exer- cise and learning. It seems that this is a course which is truly accepted by the students, complementing the Greek educational system.

Keywords: students’ opinion, Olympic Education, primary school, high school

The purpose of this study was twofold: a) to present a way of health-related fitness assessment in first grade children, and b) to provide guidelines to enhance it through aerobic dance. The health-related Pru- dential Fitnessgram test battery (Cooper Institute, 1992) is proposed for the assessment of health-related fit- ness in young children. The tests are related to cardiorespiratory endurance, upper body and abdominal strength and endurance, hamstring and trunk flexibility, and body composition. For the attainment of the second purpose of this study, instruction ideas and methods for aerobic dance are presented which in their simplest form could be applied in first grade children to enhance their health-related fitness and enjoyment.

Key words: health-related fitness, aerobic dance, instruction, early elementary years, Fitnessgram.

Evaluation of the Web as Marketing and Public Relations Tool in Sport

Efstratia Tsitskari1, George Costa1, George Tzetzis2 & Efthimis Kioumortzoglou1

1Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

2Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

One of the worldwide biggest phenomena of modern age is the use of Internet. With various ways and for various reasons sport causes intense interest to Internet. The impact of Internet in sports has already be- come perceptible and it continues to develop with rapid rates. The aim of this research was the development of a questionnaire that could evaluate the application of marketing and public relations in sport web sites. In addition, differences between sexes were also investigated. 700 questionnaires were collected from people that, during the research, declared that were Thessaloniki’s habitants, which is the second biggest city in Greece. Factor and reliability analysis (Conbach alpha) were contacted. A valid and reliable evaluation tool was created. Four elements of the sport marketing mix (“product” (with 7 items & α=.86) “price-place” (with

6 items & α=.85), “promotion” (with 6 items & α=.81) and “public relations” (with 9 items & α=.89) were proved as the ones that affect the public when it evaluates sport marketing and public relations through the Web. The conclusions and the recommendations of this research can enlighten and guide the use of Internet as a marketing and communication tool in sport organisations.

Key words: internet, marketing, public relations, sport sites, evaluation factors.