Levelling the playing field: an investigation into problems experienced in cognition and teaching effectiveness in multi-cultural physical education classes in the Wynberg area

Abstract

This study investigated the social influences on the Physical Education curriculum. It then also became necessary to investigate the role of the Physical Education teacher in improving cognitive deficiencies in students. Subsequently, the following hypothesis guided this study "Cognition, in a Physical Education lesson, in a culturally diverse environment is determined by an interaction of teaching effectiveness and environmental factors". A major aim of the research became to determine what these factors are. The field of investigation was limited to the Wynberg area and concentrated on the cognitive aspects of Physical Education. ignoring the relationship between many other factors and teaching effectiveness and environmental factors. Questionnaires were used to test the hypothesis. One was sent to 12 schools, one to a college of education and one to subject advisors. Ten male and nine female teachers from the secondary and primary schools in the area responded. The findings were grouped under the headings of "teaching effectiveness", "cognition" and "culture". The findings from one male and female college lecturers and the subject advisor's response were kept separate. The conclusion was made that the environmental factors that influence teaching effectiveness are: workload of the teacher, professional development, social standing, salary remuneration, status of the subject and teacher enjoyment. It was found that all these factors (except teacher qualification improvement) to be lacking in Physical Education in the Wynberg area.