MIXED PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
Anglo-Czech High School Anna Kárníková, Barbora Pegleyová, Adéla Pegleyová
Questionnaire Do you think that it is possible / appropriate for boys and girls to have PE lessons together in the Czech Republic? a) yes b) no c) up to a certain age (state age) What do you think would change if mixed (female and male together) PE were to be introduced? a) nothing b) negative impact on both sexes (girls' fear of boys' being aggressive or boys' caution while playing games with the girls - that can lead to a decrease of their performance) c) positive impact, it could strengthen the collective What sort of experience do you have with mixed PE lessons? (for example during substitute teaching lessons) a) positive b) negative c) neutral Do you think it is a good idea to introduce mixed PE lessons at Czech schools? a) yes b) no, I am content as it is c) I do not see any difference
Answers of students • received answers from 79 students from Anglo - Czech High School aged 15-19
80 70 60
up to a certain age
50
now
40
yes
30 20 10
0 Do you think that it is possible / appropriate for boys and girls to have PE lessons together in the Czech Republic?
positive impact, it could strengthen the collective 80 70 60
negative impact on both sexes (girls' fear of boys' being agressive or boys' caution while playing games with the girls that can lead to a decrease of their performance)
50 40 30 20
nothing
10 0 What do you think would change if mixed (female and male together) PE were to be introduced?
80 70 60
neutral
50
negative
40
positive
30
20 10
0 What sort of experience do you have with mixed PE lessons? (for example during substitute teaching lessons)
80 70 60
I do not see any difference
50
no, I am content as it is
40
yes
30 20 10 0 Do you think it is a good idea to introduce mixed PE lessons at Czech schools?
Answers of teachers • Received from 3 teachers from Anglo- Czech High School
3 2,5
to a certain age
2
no
1,5
yes
1 0,5 0 Do you think that it is possible for boys and girls to have PE lessons together in the Czech Republic?
positive impact, it could strengthen the collective
4 3,5 negative impact on both sexes (girls' fear of boys' being agressive or boys' caution while playing games with the girls - that can lead to a decrease of their performance)
3 2,5 2 1,5
nothing
1 0,5 0 What do you think would change if mixed PE (female and males) were to be introduced?
3 2,5
neutral
2
negative
1,5
positive
1 0,5 0 What sort of experience do you have with mixed PE lessons? (For example during substitute teaching lessons.)
3 2,5 I do not see any difference
2
no, I am content as it is
1,5
yes
1 0,5
0 Do you think it is a good idea to introduce mixed PE lessons at Czech schools?
Interviews with teachers Mr Erhart: 1) Do you think that it is possible for boys and girls to have PE lessons together in the Czech Republic? Occasionally joining (during substitute teaching) is sufficient for creating good relationships in the collective, but regular connection would lead to a stereotype and decrease of performance. It is the same as when a teacher of a different subject is supposed to teach 30 students instead of 15.
2) What do you think would change if mixed PE (female and males) were to be introduced? Would it benefit the PE lessons? Children without sports abilities would be frustrated, talented students would stand out, in my opinion it is not a good idea. 5) Do you think it is a good idea to introduce mixed PE lessons at Czech schools? No, it would be an economical interest of school providers, not an attempt to ameliorate the quality of classes.
Mrs Štětková: 1) Do you think that it is possible for boys and girls to have PE lessons together in the Czech Republic? Yes, but only until the age of 11. 2) What do you think would change if mixed PE (female and males) were to be introduced? Would it benefit the PE lessons? Maybe, if it was one lesson in two weeks, when it would be possible to play sports games together. But it is not a good idea to join boys and girls for other sports.
3) What sort of experience do you have with mixed PE lessons? (For example during substitute teaching lessons.) As I said, it is only possible to play games together. I cannot imagine doing gymnastics with the whole class. 4) Have you ever noticed any gender inequality during games in mixed PE lessons? Inequality exists even among the same sex. That is a fact and the teacher must tolerate it. 5) Do you think it is a good idea to introduce mixed PE lessons at Czech schools? No.
Mrs. PolĂvkovĂĄ (she has experience with teaching in Scandinavia) 1) Do you think that it is possible for boys and girls to have PE lessons together in the Czech Republic? Yes, but during the whole time of studies, from the 1st year (6 years old) until graduation. 2) What do you think would change if mixed PE (female and males) were to be introduced? Would it benefit the PE lessons? Yes. Children from early age learn to be more tolerant, considerate and responsible for their own behavior. They then feel the differences between the sexes naturally and do not associate them so much with adolescence. In Scandinavia, for example, girls are proved to be more active and boys more considerate in the behavior to girls and to each other. It is connected, however, with a completely different way of bringing children up, which is connected since childhood with gender equality (which does not mean, though, that women must carry out the same physically difficult tasks as men). 3) What sort of experience do you have with mixed PE lessons? 5 years of training gymnastics of conducted groups, 3 years as a PE teacher at a basic school, where the classes are always taught mixed, including a platform for physically disabled children and children with sight disabilities, who take part in the PE lessons together with the other children. 4) Have you ever noticed any gender inequality during games in mixed PE lessons? That belongs to the natural physical and mental display of both genders - both of them learn how to cope with new situations. It is important to realize that PE lessons are not supposed to improve the physical condition of children (2 PE lessons per week are not sufficient for that), but they should motivate children to regular activity. The lessons should show them the wide range of exercise possibilities, out of which they then can choose the one that is the most interesting for them. Children can then continue in this activity in their spare time.
Summary • Teachers are certainly more against introducing mixed PE (taking more care) • Teachers in average-to the age of 11\ students can imagine having it • Teachers see the impact between positive and negative\ students positive • Some positive experience with mixed PE in both cases (students-experiences based on ball games)
Thank you for attention! ď Š