Teaching outdoor and adventure activities: an investigation of a primary school physical education professional development p

The Children 
In order to understand the school children’s perspectives on physical education 
and physical activity, the children completed a self-report questionnaire and participated 
in focus group interviews. Each child’s physical health and fitness was also assessed 
through a Physical Best Day, the methodology and results of this study are included 
below. Some of the pertinent findings from the questionnaire study were published in 
the Journal of Physical Activity and Health in an article entitled 
‘An exploration of 
children’s perceptions and enjoyment of school-based physical activity and physical 
education’ 
(Coulter & Woods, 2011, Appendix A). An overview of the findings which 
were related directly to the design and implementation of the professional development 
programme are presented here.
Questionnaires. 
Purpose 
The purpose of the children’s questionnaire was to establish their practices and 
perspectives in relation to physical activity and physical education in order to inform the 
design and facilitation of the professional development programme. 
 
Methodology 
Children from senior infants (Year 2) to sixth class (Year 8) (N=663) were invited to 
participate in the study.
 
Due to participant age range (5-14 years) and reading ability, a 
pictorial style self-report measure was used. This was adapted from a previously 
validated Belgian questionnaire (Delfosse, Cloes & Pieron et al., 1992) for use in an 
Irish setting. Further modifications were made to clarify and introduce colour to the 
graphics, thus making it more ‘child friendly’ (Figure 4.1).

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Figure 4.1. Sample page from child questionnaire
Four day test-retest reliability was established, percentage agreement scores (N=84, 
male, 52%; mean 7.85 years; 1.71; range 5-11years) which yielded an overall 
agreement of 82% for the instrument (Table 4.3) and Cronbach’s Alpha value for the 
enjoyment measure was 0.65 which is deemed acceptable (Field, 2005, p. 668). The 
questionnaire was a combination of personal, behavioural and enjoyment determinants 
and used a combination of categorical, Likert and ordinal scoring responses.

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Table 4.3 Reliability of PAYS (Physical Activity for Young Children Scale)