A comparison of teaching effectiveness of elective and non-elective physical education teachers from colleges of education on students learning outcome in Brong Ahafo Region Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare two sets of teachers: one set of which took physical education as an elective course during their pre service preparation while the other set only studied it as a general compulsory course during pre-service preparation. The study was focused on what they do in the name of physical education on the field of work. The study also sought to describe the association(s) that may exist between these two sets of teachers and the students‘ products from their schools. Descriptive survey and correlational design methods were used. The population consisted of physical education teachers and students in basic education schools within the catchment area of Tano North and South Districts of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. The sample was made up of 40 physical education teachers within the catchment area of Tano North and South Districts of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. The population was made up of 20 physical education elective teachers and 480 non-physical education elective teachers. In all, 200 students were selected from the participating teachers classes (i.e. 5 students from each teacher‘s class) were used for the study. A class observation form was adapted from the Community College of Aurora‘s Mentor Program Handbook and Staffordshire University‘s Guidelines for the observation of teaching. The findings revealed that there was significant difference between the two set of teachers (t (39) = -12.26, p < .05). Except for the reasons assigned to affect the teaching of physical education at the basic education in the two districts. Based on this, a number of recommendations have been made to district education offices, and when followed would improve the teaching and learning of physical education in Ghana, in particular.