Irish Primary Teachers’ Perspectives into the Teaching of Physical Education: Exploring the Games Strand and the Factors that Influence the Teaching Methodologies and Approaches in Current Classrooms

Abstract

The PE strand unit Games engages with the student’s instinct to play. Using a mixed methods approach and purpose sampling, Irish primary school teachers were surveyed (N=22) and interviewed (N=2) for the purpose of acquiring the primary data. Findings were analysed thematically and interpreted using PP. Perspectives of the primary school teachers of PE in the classroom; their knowledge of and application of the Games Strand and teaching approaches used were investigated. Findings identify the Games Strand as the dominant strand with CL and direct teaching used in approaches; effective implementation being under the influence of many factors i.e., self-confidence, misunderstandings, access to external facilitators and resources including CPD training.