Development of an Instrument for Formative Evaluation and Its Diagnostic Standard of Physical Education Class in Elementary School

Abstract

The present study was to develop a questionnaire instrument for formative evaluation and its diagnostic standard of physical education class in elementary school. The questionnaire consisting of 9 items was prepared and applied to 9127 pupils from 3rd to 6th grade in 291 physical education classes. Four factors extracted by the factor analysis could be named as follows; 1) ‘outcome, ’ 2) ‘way of learning, ’ 3) ‘cooperation’ and 4) ‘motivation, ’ These factors were consistent with those in previous research (Takahashi et al., 1994).
It was examined whether there were significant differences for these 4 factor scores in terms of pupils’ sex, school grade, and subject matters taught in classes. The results revealed that girls generally scored higher than boys, and middle grade pupils (3rd and 4th) scored higher on ‘motivation’ than high grade pupils (5th and 6th). As for ‘motivation’ pupils scored highest in ball game class, but in terms of ‘way of learning’ highest in apparatus gymnastics.
Finally, the 9 item questionnaire was developed for a convenient and effective formative evaluation of physical education class in elementary school. The 5 point scale diagnostic standards based on variance of score were made for all classes as well as for each subject matter taught in classes; apparatus gymnastics, track and field and ball games.