Covid-19's changes in the in-person physical education teaching: A qualitative study in Primary and Secondary Education teachers

Un estudio cualitativo en docentes de Educación Primaria y Secundaria

Abstract

Covid-19 has caused Physical Education (PE) teachers to have to make adaptations in their classes to guarantee their health and that of their students. Therefore, the aim of the study was to know the PE teachers' perception of the changes caused by Covid-19 in the in-person PE teaching. A total of 10 PE teachers (Mage = 34.7; SD = 7.56) of Primary and Secondary Education from Aragon participated. Through 10 individual and semi-structured interviews, a reflective deductive thematic analysis was carried out. The emerging themes were: 1) context and regulations of the school, as well as aspects related to 2) teaching programme, 3) methodology, and 4) evaluation. Among the contextual and regulatory measures of the school, the modifications related to the contingency plans stand out, which affected the use of the indoor facilities and the use and disinfection of the materials. Substantial changes in teaching programmes or activities also stand out, prevailing those related to the individual and self-constructed use of materials, with a safety distance, without physical contact, and in the outdoor. Changes are also observed in teaching styles, prioritizing those that are more reproductive or authoritarians. Likewise, the teachers show acoustic problems when making the explanations. Finally, the teachers state that their way of evaluating has not changed. Based on the modifications identified, some ideas and solutions are provided, based on scientific evidence, that can help to deliver a quality PE during Covid-19.