Value and initiative of physical education teachers in the spotlight

The annual autumn conference for physical education teachers, organized by the Department of Sport Science at Reykjavik University, was held on Friday, August 21. Among the topics discussed at the conference were the marginalization and isolation of physical education teachers, and the importance of ensuring that they feel valued and the importance of their work.

The conference presented findings from a study on the marginalization and isolation of physical education teachers, conducted by Dr. Sveinn Þorgeirsson, a lecturer at  RU’s Department of Sport Science, together with Dr. Ingi Þór Einarsson, acting dean of the department, and their colleagues from Turkey.

“The study is directly relevant to physical education teachers in Iceland and is based on a comparison with their colleagues in Turkey. The findings were very interesting. This is probably only the third peer-reviewed article on physical education in schools in Iceland.

One of the findings was that Icelandic physical education teachers feel less valued and experience greater work-related pressure than their Turkish counterparts. What is important for the future is that we teachers do a better job of communicating what we are doing. School administrators could also do more to integrate the subject and its teachers into the school, give them greater attention, and make the work of physical education teachers more visible within schools,” says Sveinn.

Sveinn gave a presentation on Bætir, a project by Kjartan Stefánsson involving the development of educational materials, as Kjartan was unable to attend. Bætir is an educational app for mobile phones.

We are constantly faced with change

In the second part of the conference, a panel discussion was held, moderated by Kristján Halldórsson, an adjunct lecturer at RU’s Department of Science. The discussion focused on changes being made by physical education teachers at Réttarholtsskóli to swimming instruction in the school’s lower secondary section, in response to the circumstances in which the teachers work.

Hulda Bjarkar, a physical education and swimming teacher at Réttarholtsskóli, introduced the panel discussion by explaining the changes that have been implemented in swimming instruction for the school’s lower secondary students.

The changes mean that swimming will be taught throughout the school year in 8th grade, with students receiving a final assessment at the end of the year. Swimming will therefore no longer be taught in 9th and 10th grades. Instead of separating students by gender, as has been the practice, two teachers will teach each class at the same time. The changes are intended, among other things, to make better use of swimming lessons, reduce pressure on swimming pools, and simplify the school’s scheduling.

“This led to a very good discussion. We are constantly faced with change. This is a good example of how physical education teachers can take the initiative, look for solutions to the circumstances they face, and shape their environment and organization. We are trying to take a little leadership in these matters and contribute to the discussion,” says Sveinn.

More than thirty physical education teachers took part in the successful autumn conference. Another conference for physical education teachers is planned for later in the school year. There are ideas to give the preschool sector a place on the agenda after the new year, with discussion of projects related to their work and teachers invited to give presentations connected to a course on children’s physical activity during the preschool years.