The Metaphors of Teachers Employed at Primary and Secondary Schools about the Concepts: ‘’Physical Education’’ and ‘’Sport’’

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the concepts of “physical education” and “sport”, through metaphor that the view of teachers who are highly experienced in child-training and working in different branches in primary and secondary schools. In this, qualitative study, a scanning model is used and it was applied in the Province of Kocaeli, District of Izmit, in the years of 2015 and 2016. With this aim, randomly-chosen 424 volunteering teachers were asked to fill in the survey in the province of Kocaeli. After the data was examined, 348 fully-filled forms were included in our study. Not only were the personal characteristics of the teachers examined but the metaphors they developed about the concepts of “physical education” and “sport” were determined, as well. They were evaluated in accordance with their branches. The descriptive analysis technique was applied in the data analysis and the collected data was presented as digitised. The metaphors developed by teachers of different branches at primary and secondary school levels and from different school types were examined. Concept of PE was determined that explained by associating with the metaphors in the category “basic need- source of life” in the first place and then they put the metaphor “a positive feeling” in the second place. In the last place was the metaphor “psychological benefit- wellness”. the findings was also observed that explained the concept of “sport” mostly by associating it with metaphors in the category of “basic need-source of life”, then “health-healing resource”. The participants were observed to have used the metaphor ‘’a positive feeling’’ more than the other metaphors in other categories.

As a result; those experienced teachers of different branches believe that the concepts “physical education” and “sport” are a basic need and they also believe that it has an important role in both physical and psychological health. They showed this through metaphors. However, this class has not found its place in the curriculum yet. Therefore; it is suggested that PE and sports teachers should be given a more powerful and effective vocational education.