Elementary Education Online, 10(1), 144-159, 2011. İlköğretim Online, 10(1), 144-159, 2011. [Online]: http://ilkogretim-online.org.tr The Perceptions of Teachers in Relation to Physical Education Curriculum and Instructional Plans * Ahmet ŞİRİNKAN ** Kerim GÜNDOĞDU *** ABSTRACT. The purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of school elementary physical education and sports teachers with regard to physical education and sports curriculum and instructional planning. The sample of this study was 720 physical education and sports teachers from 16 cities in seven geographical regions in Turkey. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained through questionnaire, observation and interviews. The results of the study confirmed that there is gap between desired and current situation of the physical education and sports curriculum goals and objectives, content, methods and techniques and assessment procedures. Key Words: Physical education and sports, elementary physical education curriculum, instructional planning, SUMMARY Purpose and significance: Implementation of curriculum through instructional planning activities is an integral part of teaching process, and is considered to be one of the teacher’s most complex and important tasks. The purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of school elementary physical education and sports teachers with regard to physical education and sports curriculum and instructional planning. Methods: Mixed method was preferred in this research. A questionnaire was designed to explore teachers’ perceptions of physical education and sports curriculum and their instructional planning procedures at the primary school level. The sample of this study was 720 physical education and sports teachers in 16 provinces from seven geographical regions in Turkey. Observation and interviews with physical education teachers provided more reliable information. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data and, content and frequency analysis were used to analyze qualitative data. Results: Main trends among teachers were explored through descriptive statistics like percentages and means. As the results, physical education and sports teachers tended to be negative that the course curriculum and instructional plans are not appropriate with the goals. It was also found through the questionnaire and interviews that teachers’ tendency is benefiting from their colleagues while they were preparing instructional plans. Their responses showed that the goals and objectives of the course and the course content are important; however they are not acquired and learned by students as needed. Regarding instructional methods and techniques, teachers stated that variability of instructional methods and techniques they used during physical education and sports courses are low. They also apply practical and oral assessment procedures for the student evaluation, although they thought that testing should have been used more. Discussion and Conclusions: The current study investigated the perceptions of the teachers within the physical education field about the physical education curriculum and instructional plans in schools. The findings of the study suggests that although teachers do not have great problems with the course curriculum and instructional planning, the course should be implemented more effectively by implementing the philosophy of constructivist approach. The existing literature also confirmed the findings of this study that there is a gap between desired and existing situation of the physical education and sports course in terms of curriculum and instructional implementation. * This paper is a part of a doctoral dissertation and partially presented as poster at the meeting of 10th International Sports Sciences Congress. Held by Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu-Türkiye, October 23-25, 2008. ** Assist. Prof. Dr., Atatürk University, Physical Education and Sports School, Erzurum, Turkey. *** Assist. Prof. Dr., Atatürk University, K.K Faculty of Education, Erzurum, Turkey . brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk