Teachers’ and students’ perceptions of factors influencing the adoption of information and communications technology in physical education in Singapore schools

Abstract

Although there have been studies on the use of information and communications technology (ICT) as a pedagogical tool to enhance teaching and learning in physical education (PE), more research is warranted to understand perceived barriers and facilitators to usage. The purpose of the present study was to understand key factors that influence the adoption of ICT in PE perceived by teachers and students in Singapore schools. Eleven PE teachers (two females, nine males) with two to 25 years of teaching experience were individually interviewed, and 72 students (39 females, 33 males) from 10 to 17 years of age participated in 11 focus groups. The study was guided by ontological relativism and situated within epistemological constructionism. Three themes were developed from the thematic analysis: (a) technological dispositions (i.e. self-efficacy and open-mindedness); (b) teaching approaches (i.e. pedagogical integration; cognitive, affective and psychomotor stimulation; and balanced integration of ICT and the traditional approach); and (c) contextual factors (i.e. technological conditions; cultural conditions; and teachers’ ICT-specific PE knowledge). Findings from the study support the notion that appropriate use of ICT tools has the potential to positively influence teaching and learning during PE lessons while emphasising the need for schools and professional development bodies to improve the ICT pedagogical proficiency of PE teachers. The study provides important insights into how teachers can better leverage ICT tools to support student learning in PE.