An exploration of the use of technology in primary school physical education

MacKechnie, Sharon (2013) An exploration of the use of technology in primary school physical education. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Technology is one of the fastest growing areas of the global economy and it is recognised as having a major influence on the world's health through its integration in education (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2010). Technology too is at the heart of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence and schools are expected to integrate it both to enhance learning and teaching across each subject area, and to further the technological development of today's young 'digital natives' (Prensky, 2001). This paper seeks to explore the effectiveness of current technology and current use of technology in a quality primary school physical education (PE) through the exploration of two main issues: (1) what constitutes a quality PE experience? (2) in what ways does the use of technology influence the quality of the physical education experience?

A study of the literature will identify the key features of a quality physical education and the key features will then be examined in context by conducting three case studies of different technologies in Scottish primary school physical education.

Each case study is analysed individually; there are three significant correlations that emerged across all studies:
-Technology increases intrinsic motivation
-Technology increases pupils' development of social and emotional skills
-The pedagogical approach to lessons using technology might be influenced by teacher confidence and competence.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: PE, physical education, technology, ICT, IT, primary school, education, curriculum for excellence, Scottish education
• Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2361 Curriculum; T Technology > T Technology (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Supervisor's Name: Campbell, Mrs Theresa
• Date of Award: 2013
• Depositing User: Miss Sharon MacKechnie
• Unique ID: glathesis:2013-4215
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2013 07:45
• Last Modified: 26 Apr 2013 07:47
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/4215