Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices
This study explores the development of reflective thinking among Physical Education Teachers (PETs) through a professional development program grounded in Paralympic values and inclusive education. Employing a qualitative action research design, the study involved seven PETs teaching in Greek primar...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Education Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/823 |
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| author | Theofanis Kaloudis Konstantinos Georgiadis Antonios K. Travlos Yannis Theodorakis |
| author_facet | Theofanis Kaloudis Konstantinos Georgiadis Antonios K. Travlos Yannis Theodorakis |
| author_sort | Theofanis Kaloudis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the development of reflective thinking among Physical Education Teachers (PETs) through a professional development program grounded in Paralympic values and inclusive education. Employing a qualitative action research design, the study involved seven PETs teaching in Greek primary schools. The intervention lasted ten weeks and comprised 20 Physical Education lessons, during which data were collected via semi-structured interviews, reflective journals, and non-participatory observation. The findings indicate a progressive shift in the teachers’ reflective thinking—from Technical Reflection to Practical and Critical Reflection—as defined in van Manen’s theoretical model. Most participants initially demonstrated a practical orientation but gradually developed a critical stance, incorporating values such as fairness, inclusion, and respect for diversity into their pedagogical thinking. Furthermore, the results revealed increased student sensitivity toward inclusive practices and a more democratic classroom climate. These findings suggest that targeted professional development programs can foster deeper reflective engagement and promote inclusive practices within Physical Education. This study highlights the potential of Paralympic values as meaningful educational content and reinforces the role of Physical Education as a catalyst for social inclusion and teacher professional growth. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e36eccdb0d924daa9a60a15544d5bf0f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e36eccdb0d924daa9a60a15544d5bf0f2025-08-20T03:36:18ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-06-0115782310.3390/educsci15070823Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive PracticesTheofanis Kaloudis0Konstantinos Georgiadis1Antonios K. Travlos2Yannis Theodorakis3Department of Sports Organization and Management, University of Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, GreeceDepartment of Sports Organization and Management, University of Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, GreeceDepartment of Sports Organization and Management, University of Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, GreeceThis study explores the development of reflective thinking among Physical Education Teachers (PETs) through a professional development program grounded in Paralympic values and inclusive education. Employing a qualitative action research design, the study involved seven PETs teaching in Greek primary schools. The intervention lasted ten weeks and comprised 20 Physical Education lessons, during which data were collected via semi-structured interviews, reflective journals, and non-participatory observation. The findings indicate a progressive shift in the teachers’ reflective thinking—from Technical Reflection to Practical and Critical Reflection—as defined in van Manen’s theoretical model. Most participants initially demonstrated a practical orientation but gradually developed a critical stance, incorporating values such as fairness, inclusion, and respect for diversity into their pedagogical thinking. Furthermore, the results revealed increased student sensitivity toward inclusive practices and a more democratic classroom climate. These findings suggest that targeted professional development programs can foster deeper reflective engagement and promote inclusive practices within Physical Education. This study highlights the potential of Paralympic values as meaningful educational content and reinforces the role of Physical Education as a catalyst for social inclusion and teacher professional growth.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/823reflective thinkingaction researchphysical educationinclusive educationparalympic values |
| spellingShingle | Theofanis Kaloudis Konstantinos Georgiadis Antonios K. Travlos Yannis Theodorakis Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices Education Sciences reflective thinking action research physical education inclusive education paralympic values |
| title | Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices |
| title_full | Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices |
| title_fullStr | Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices |
| title_short | Fostering Reflective Thinking in Physical Education Teachers: An Action Research Study Promoting Paralympic Values and Inclusive Practices |
| title_sort | fostering reflective thinking in physical education teachers an action research study promoting paralympic values and inclusive practices |
| topic | reflective thinking action research physical education inclusive education paralympic values |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/823 |
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