Classroom Factors

Classroom factors in a physical education class are the components that foster the learning experience of the students. There are an abundant amount of factors that influence the learning experience of students in a physical education class. This includes classroom management that was explained in the previous blog, however the factors that will be emphasized today will be the teacher, teaching strategies, and teaching environment in a physical education class.

Teacher

As a physical educator, tapping into the motivation of students gets harder the older they get. A different level of energy and personality has to be brought in the gym than in a traditional classroom. PE teachers have to be able to get students moving around instead of simply putting pen to paper. Teacher behavior in the classroom influences the student’s ability to connect with the educator, which increases motivation to succeed.2 Students must know that the teacher cares about them as a person, before students will listen to what the teacher has to say. If a physical education teacher fails to relate in some form or fashion with their students then the student-teacher relationship will not be as strong, and they may not be as motivated to listen to what the teacher says.

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies influence the learning experience of students because it is the method of fostering understanding and application of the material that is taught. Teachers that are able to create learning material that is applicable to life outside of school usually gain the attention of students better. Student motivation increases when the student feels that the subject material is relevant to their life.2 Luckily, physical education is relevant to real life because everybody has the ability to achieve a lifetime of fitness. Students are able to learn activities and exercises in physical education classes that they can do outside of school.  

Environment

The learning environment also influences the learning experience of students. In a gym, the environment includes not only the gym itself, but the amount of light, air conditioning or lack of, the procedures, etc. For example, if you have a full classroom of 30 students, then the students in the back will not hear you as well.1 This situation can be resolved by using what is known as a gym voice rather than a classroom voice. If the students in the back cannot hear then they will not be able to learn and may even start to misbehave because of it.  

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Closing

Classroom factors in a physical education class, the teacher, their teaching strategies, and the learning environment are components that foster the learning experience of the students. There are plenty of other factors, but today those three were highlighted. Next time, student characteristics will be explained. The characteristics of students is a key factor in developing physical education lesson plans and could also be considered as a classroom factor.

References

1NA. (2016). Factors affecting classroom management. Retrieved from:

http://education.gov.gy/web/index.php/teachers/tips-for-teaching/item/2045-factors-affecting-classroom-management

2Sosnowski, J. (2016). Classroom factors that affect motivation. Retrieved from:

http://oureverydaylife.com/classroom-factors-affect-motivation-33977.html