Effectiveness of a School-Based Outdoor Education Curriculum and Online Learning Environment among Prospective Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a curriculum developed for prospective physical education teachers to learn an outdoor sports course, using both the school-based outdoor education approach and online learning. The research design involved a mixed method that used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Since qualitative data were collected in order to support quantitative data, the researchers applied a sequential–descriptive pattern of mixed methods. As a result of the research, the achievement of the outdoor sports lesson and the ability of doing outdoor sports were improved among prospective teachers using both the school-based outdoor education and online learning physical education approaches. The prospective teachers stated that they learned the subjects better by doing, and that they were more motivated to improve their subsequent performance after watching the recorded activities and performances on the learning management system. The prospective teachers generally expressed the positive opinion that the course was helpful for passing the final exam or other evaluations, and that the teaching activities were motivational.