Browsing by Author "Rainio, Anni"

Aim. The aim of this study was to find out teachers´ views on coeducational and single sex physical education and formation of physical education groups in grades 3 to 6. The objective was also to examine teachers´ views on gender-conscious and gender-equal physical education. The study discloses arguments for formation of the physical education groups in grades 3 to 6 and ways to promote gender-equal physical educa-tion. The groupings of physical education are a current topic in the school world and the topic has been widely featured in the media as well. Study comparing coeducation-al and single sex physical education in Finland is still limited, and both the foreign and the largest studies in Finland have focused on secondary and high school age. Methods. The study was conducted as a qualitative research. The research data consisted of online questionnaire of 24 teacher who teaches physical education. The online questionnaire contained open-ended questions and background questions. The data were collected in April-May 2019, and the data were analyzed using theory-guided content analysis. Results and conclusions. According to the teachers in this study, coeducational and single sex physical education in grades 3 to 6 each had their own strengths and chal-lenges. However, the teachers considered that coeducational physical education in this age group had more strengths and less challenges than single sex physical edu-cation. The teachers found coeducational physical education as a better option in grades 3 to 6. The strengths of coeducational physical education are largely in line with the objectives of the current curriculum. There were many things that promoted gender equality in physical education. The physical education teacher and coeduca-tional physical education were clearly seen as the biggest influencers. The views, attitudes and craftmanship of the physical education teach-er were considered to affect a lot. On the other hand, the physical education teacher was also seen as the biggest obstacle for gender equality. The study provides per-spectives for current and future physical education teachers and others interested in the subject.