Research on Visual and Media Literacy
Rick Winbigler
University of West Georgia
MEDT7490: Visual and Media Literacy for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Bertha D’Alba
November 12, 2023
Article: Pedagogical Use of Technology in Physical Education
Author: Susana Juniu
Article Description: The primary objective of this article is to enlighten teachers about the effective incorporation of technology into their lessons to facilitate learning. Juniu identifies a common challenge in the planning phase where teachers often error by making technology the central focus of their lessons. The key recommendation is for teachers to view technology as a supportive tool, using it to improve the overall quality of their lessons and create a more encouraging and engaging learning experience for students. Simply, teachers should use the technology as an aid, not as the primary means when building a lesson. This approach emphasizes the integration of technology as a means to enhance educational outcomes rather than as the sole focus of the instructional process.
Summary of the Review of Literature: The authors cited a total of fifty-two sources to their article. To summarize the key points of the research is to point to the article summary. Much of the literature supported using technology in a supporting, not primary, role in designing lessons and learning opportunities. The author reviewed and utilized literature from other subjects as well including social studies, general studies, science, math, and instructional design. The use of a multitude of literature to support their argument for technology in a supportive not primary role added a lot of credibility to the author’s findings. There was even some literature that involved sports psychology, learning models, and memory. Again, with fifty-two sources, the author covers a wide range of ideas and supporting research.
Analysis of Methodology: The conclusions presented in this research result from a thorough synthesis of findings. Juniu's study serves as a focal point, but it's enriched by delving into a wider array of related studies within the field. Juniu incorporates insights from other authors and researchers who have explored similar themes. This research, therefore, contributes to a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the subject. By weaving together multiple perspectives, Juniu's conclusions add depth to a collection of other scholarly work.
Summary of Results: The article is meant to serve teachers everywhere at every level of teaching physical education. The author concludes that teachers can take her conclusions of the research she gathered from other sources to promote learning in their own classrooms while incorporating relevant physical education technology. The author presented several methods and strategies for the inclusion of technology in to the physical education classroom in a way that doesn’t tie the hands of the instructor. Strategies included the presentation of fitness results, producing video demos, and using multimedia tools to present information on skills and fitness. The article provides a blueprint for these various methods in a way that can fit in to a physical education classroom and not slow or obstruct instruction.
Personal Opinion about the Research: I think that this article provided more of a summary of the work and collections of other writers and researchers. Juniu served more as a reporter of sources than a primary driver of conclusive ideas and solutions. While the article did provide plenty of relevant contextual information, it was a collection of the works of others synthesized around a broad central idea. I did appreciate the overviews in how technology served a physical education class.
Personal Learnings from the Study: This article provided me with a fresh viewpoint. Traditionally, I've integrated technology into my classroom to support my students. If a particular technological tool doesn't contribute to their learning, I don’t use it. Many school systems mandate that teachers incorporate technology into their classrooms significantly, a practice I appreciate for its potential benefits to students. However, a potential issue arises when teachers use technology merely to fulfill administrative requirements, without considering its educational impact. This situation poses a potential risk to the learning experience of students. It's crucial to strike a balance, ensuring that technology serves the educational needs of students rather than becoming a box-checking exercise for your administrators. I did like the idea of using video-based platforms to have students instruct and show sport skill development. I also think that the integration of visual presentations that incorporate media and images can enhance physical education instruction.
Article: Technology Integration in Secondary Physical Education: Teachers’ Attitudes and Practice
Authors: Anne Gibbone, Paul Rukavina, and Stephen Silverman
Article Description: In this article, the researchers conducted a study to derive two key findings within the realm of physical education teaching. The primary focus was on understanding the attitudes and opinions of the physical education community regarding the incorporation of technology in classroom settings. Additionally, the researchers aimed to assess the current extent to which technology is utilized in these educational environments. After reviewing their conclusions, the authors developed strategies to assist physical education teachers in effectively integrating various technologies into both their classrooms and gymnasiums.
Summary of the Review of Literature: The authors cited a total of thirty-nine sources to their article. There are a vast number of sources to go through but they all extend very common points. Teachers, specifically Physical Education teachers, are not afraid or hesitant to include best practice uses of technology in to a traditional technology free environment. There is in general a lack of understanding in how best to integrate these strategies in to the Physical Education classroom. Many of the resources the author’s used were about the perceptions of teachers, and provided overviews and strategies to combat perceived barriers to technology instruction. Within similar articles, the positivity of teachers towards technology was clear, and again, strategies were interjected to alleviate teacher concerns and barriers. As is the case in most professional writings, the literature used for this article affirmed that teachers have positive attitudes towards technology but lack in understanding how to put it in to action.
Analysis of Methodology: The researchers engaged in their investigation by surveying educators in the field of physical education. They gathered information from these teachers by categorizing their multiple-choice responses into relevant groups. The authors employed the Secondary Physical Educator’s Attitudes and Technology Practices Inventory, organizing its items into four major categories. The survey and subsequent data analysis were comprehensive, delving into various factors, attitudes, and considerations related to the use of technology in Physical Education. Additionally, the authors consulted a range of sources, including professional organizations, discussion forums, educational institutions, and websites, to gather additional pertinent and examinable data.
Summary of Results: The findings indicated an overall positive outlook among physical educators regarding technology integration in their classrooms. However, the study brought to light a large gap revealing that teachers do not incorporate technology to the extent they desire. Among the barriers identified were financial constraints, planning challenges, and time constraints. These obstacles stood out as hindering teachers from embracing technology in their instructional practices. The article offered solutions to those barriers.
Personal Opinion about the Research: The research was clear and concise. I appreciated the organization and explanation of each step and process that concluded n the author’s report. Though scanning the literature was an overall enormous task, it added to the thoroughness of the article. It is well researched and easy to follow. The data, processes, and procedures made sense. I think a little more information on integrating specific technologies in to the physical education classroom would’ve added more to the overall research. The solutions were mostly based around training, and building a knowledge base as opposed to concrete steps to aid in the inclusion of digital strategies.
Personal Learnings from the Study: I learned what other’s view as barriers to technology integration in to a Physical Education setting are opposite of what I have encountered. I never have a problem with planning, resources, or financial constraints when using technology in the PE classroom. This is likely due to my background as a football coach, and my vast overall experience in using technology. I believe that adding elements of video and presentation software to the physical education class can vastly increase knowledge and add a great element to the experience. My attitudes fall in like with other Physical Education teachers, but I do believe that I implement the practice in a greater way than those surveyed in the article.
Article: Physical Education Teachers’ Subjective Theories about Integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Into Physical Education
Author: Rolf Kretschmann
Article Description: Like the second article, this piece explores how physical education teachers feel about using technology in their classes. The author looks into different perspectives, including those of students, parents, administrators, and various stakeholders. This approach helps us better understand the dynamics involved in using technology in physical education settings. The study investigated PE teachers' thoughts on integrating information and communication technology into PE, covering areas like student engagement, teaching methods, teacher roles, equipment use, computer literacy, classroom management, social interaction, and innovative teaching.
Summary of the Review of Literature: The authors cited over one-hundred sources to their article. Throughout the article, the author supported data and interpretation through a variety of the supported literature. Much of the literature used in the article dealt with attitude and survey strategies regarding the use of technology by teachers. It was not all specific to physical education in terms of the supporting literature. The author used an incredible amount of literature to support his process. In responding to his findings in the implications section, much of the supporting literature was used to expand and explain on collected data and provide a broader and more complete overview.
Analysis of Methodology: Using the "subjective theories" research program, the PE teachers' thoughts were turned into a questionnaire based on expert group discussions. The survey involved 57 in-service secondary school PE teachers and analyzed the data using standard statistical procedures. The focus was on the teachers' thoughts and how they relate to gender, computer literacy, equipment, classroom management and organization, social interaction, household computer ownership, and professional experience. Each of these areas were provided a thorough analysis based on the results of the survey and how they impacted the attitude of physical education teachers’ utilization of information and communication technology.
Summary of Results: Each area of review provided an overview of the opinions and findings of the Physical Education teachers. Some factors played a role in the attitudes of the teachers toward technology, some did not, and some were inconclusive or did not factor at all. The author recognized that the subject needed more research to come up with direct results and what those results represent. He also spoke about the sample size of 57 Physical Education teachers being too low to provided clear and conclusive results and commonalities among the attitudes of p physical education teachers in regards to the inclusion and knowledge of technology. The author also cites many other studies in providing similar conclusions to back up the results that the survey encountered.
Personal Opinion about the Research: I think that utilizing surveys for research purposes is a tried-and-true method to understand attitudes and mindsets. Despite having findings that could have led to personal conclusions, the author admitted that further work was needed including a larger sample of people. He kept the subject open for additional exploration and research. Overall, I appreciated the analysis of the surveys in a large variety of areas that can potentially impact the attitudes of physical education teachers in using technology.
Personal Learnings from the Study: It seems to me that this article highlighted many of the standard views about technology use in the physical education classroom. The surveys featured a tremendous number of “uncertain” responses when asked things like demonstrating a movement or technique by a student is more efficient than using video. To me, both of them can be effective, and this proves to me some of the attitudes I have about integrating visual and media literacy in to the physical education classroom. I myself make videos for my Offensive Lineman in which we review tape and so on, and try to engage them in that area. So, it seems to me that the biggest hindrance to the inclusion of visual and media literacy integration at the Physical Education level is an overall lack of understanding in how to best incorporate it. Again, the attitudes are not negative about the technology, just uncertain about how to accomplish it.
Reflection
Engaging with scholarly articles as a graduate student has been instrumental in my growth as an educator. It ensures that I remain up-to-date, and interact, with research and advancements in education. This allows me to align my teaching methods with current best practices and innovative approaches. Actively delving into scholarly literature supports professional development, and enhances my understanding of educational theories, techniques, and ideas.
These kinds of assignments can sharpen critical thinking skills, because they force a student to evaluate the strengths and limitations of what they are reading. Exposure to research in scholarly articles has allows you to customize your approaches to better meet the specific needs and learning styles of your students. Also, staying informed on current research not only benefits my personal growth but also positions me to contribute to positive discussions with my colleagues. Surveying scholarly articles is a comprehensive practice that equips students with the knowledge and tools necessary for growth and intellectual enhancement.
Concerning my selected subject area, I believe there's so much potential to incorporate visual and media literacy within the realm of physical education. The slow advancement in this area stems from the overall mindset of the instructors. The research proves that the attitude of physical education instructors is not negative overall, but perhaps hasn’t been pushed and developed fully, as these classes are generally viewed as physical, with little regard for the digital realm.
References
Gibbone, A., Rukavina, P., & Silverman, S. (2010). Technology Integration in Secondary Physical Education: Teachers’ Attitudes and Practice. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE), 3(1). https://doi.org/10.18785/jetde.0301.03
Juniu, S. (2011). Pedagogical uses of technology in physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 82(9), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2011.10598692
Kretschmann, R. (2015). Physical education teachers’ subjective theories about integrating information and communication technology (ICT) into physical education. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 14(1). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1057351