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BioMed Central, Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 1(5), 2019

DOI: 10.1186/s40814-019-0507-5

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The feasibility and impact of embedding pedagogical strategies targeting physical activity within undergraduate teacher education: Transform-Ed!

Journal article published in 2019 by Natalie Lander ORCID, Harriet Koorts, Emiliano Mazzoli, Kate Moncrieff, Jo Salmon
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

AbstractPurposeLow levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behaviour are pervasive, especially in schools. Pre-service teacher education is pivotal to school and educational reform but is an under-studied setting for physical activity and sedentary behaviour intervention research. The objective of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and potential impact of embedding evidence-based active pedagogy based on an adapted version ofTransform-Us!,Transform-Ed!in one core unit of an undergraduate teacher education degree.MethodsBaseline and follow-up measures (i.e. surveys) were conducted with Bachelor of Education (Primary) pre-service teachers who received theTransform-Ed!intervention and academic educators who delivered the intervention. Focus groups of senior academics and telephone interviews with primary school principals examined perceptions of intervention feasibility and explored potential real-world relevance and impact of pre-service teachers training in active pedagogy.ResultsAfter 12 weeks, pre-service teachers (n = 218) were significantly more willing (pre–post changeΔ = 0.54, 95% CI [0.16, 0.91]), confident (Δ = 1.40, 95% CI [0.89, 1.91]) and competent (Δ = 2.39, 95% CI [1.85, 2.92]) to deliverTransform-Ed!, had more positive feelings about the impact of physical activity on student outcomes (Δ = 2.05, 95% CI [1.58, 2.52]), and perceived fewer barriers to integratingTransform-Ed!into current and future teaching (Δ = − 7.26, 95% CI [− 8.88, − 5.64]). Four major themes emerged from the focus groups (n = 9) and interviews (n = 5) around participant perceptions ofTransform-Ed!: (i) acceptability and appropriateness, (ii) need (tertiary level), (iii) need (primary level) and (iv) overcoming challenges.ConclusionTheTransform-Ed!pilot study demonstrated promising results across multiple participant levels, as it was perceived to be feasible, acceptable and appropriate by pre-service teachers, academics and school principals. The findings have direct implications for the progression ofTransform-Ed!from pilot to a future definitive trial.