MA by Research Student

Course Start: October 2017

Supervisor: Dr Joanne Hill
Supervisor 2: Dr Saul Keyworth

Working thesis title

The Use of Technology to Improve Girls’ Engagement in Physical Education

Abstract

Girls participation engagement within Physical Education (PE) has been an issue for many years. This study will therefore look into one way that could increase girls’ engagement within the subject – the utilisation of technology - and will gain teacher and student viewpoints on whether technology should be used within PE.

This study will also identify the advantages and potential barriers that Physical Education teachers, schools and students could face with incorporating technology within lessons, and develop ways that these barriers could be overcome. This study will also consider the possibility of getting students and teachers working together to create a curriculum that incorporates technology into PE, which could make Physical Education a more meaningful subject for girls.

Research Questions

• What technology is being utilised in Physical Education lessons?
• How does the use of technology in Physical Education lessons have an impact on girls’ participation levels within the subject?
• Can working together with girls to create a PE curriculum increase participation and engagement?

About Me

After graduating from my undergraduate degree in BA (Hons) Sport and Physical Education with a First Class Honours at the University of Bedfordshire in July 2017, I wanted to further my study into girls’ disengagement in Physical Education. In particular, I wanted to look for different methods and tools to help improve the levels of engagement.

This is a subject that I have found very interesting for many years due to my several years of experience in coaching and working with Physical Education departments, where it was noticeable that girls’ engagement in Physical Education and sport was an issue.

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I was given opportunities to research girls’ disengagement within Physical Education, and decided to focus my dissertation on female perspectives of Physical Education. Through the findings of my dissertation and other assignments I was completing in my final year, it inspired me to look into the use of technology in Physical Education and whether it could be utilised to improve girls’ engagement within the subject. This research will therefore aid me on my journey to becoming a teacher of Physical Education.

Contact Information

E: amber-louise.worth@study.beds.ac.uk
Twitter: @PEWorth95