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October to December 2024 Article ID: NSS8923 Impact Factor:8.05 Cite Score:304 Download: 22 DOI: https://doi.org/ View PDf
Exploring Practitioner Inquiry Among Health and Physical Education Teachers
Dr. Sonali Singh
Associate Professor (Physical Education) JKP PG College, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.)
Abstract: Existing research
suggests that practitioner inquiry(PI) can positively influence teachers’
professional learning. Within the context of Health and Physical
Education(HEP), however, we know little about the influence of PI on HPE
teachers and their students, and HPE colleagues. Aim: This study responds to
the research question: in what ways do HPE teachers believe that PI influences
their teaching practices, their students and their HPE colleagues? Context and
participants: This study presents a case study of a year-long,
government-funded teacher professional learning programme called Teaching
Excellence Program (TEP) offered by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and
Leadership. The TEP is intended to advance teacher professional knowledge in a
range of ways, including through individual and collaborative PIs. This paper
examines the outcomes that ensued from the teachers’ individual and
collaborative PIs. The study involved seven Australian HPE teachers with
varying levels of experience (6–30 years). We employed an exploratory,
multi-method case study approach, and data consisted of interview transcript,
participant-designed cartoons, and artefacts (e.g. framing a problem of
practice and action planning documentation). Findings: Within the broader
context of the TEP, PI was identified as particularly engaging for the
participating HPE teachers. The HPE teachers believed that engaging in PI: (a)
enhanced their own teaching practices; (b) therefore improved students’
engagement; and in some cases (c) influenced HPE colleagues’ teaching practice.
Implications: This study underscores the potential influence that PI can have
on HPE teachers when scaffolded and sustained support is available and
accessed.














