2024 Volume 21 Pages 29-40
This study considered the significance of learning through the body in university physical education by examining university students’ perspectives on learning and its role in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. Such an attempt was not simply to explore the contents and methods of university classes and propose solutions to problems, but also to question the existing framework of university physical education learning, to find a fusion point between university physical education learning and STEAM education learning, and to examine how to recognize the value of university physical education learning today as one perspective, given the shift toward learning that creates value. Eighty-two first-year students who took a practical physical education class at a science and engineering university agreed to participate in the survey. Interviews were conducted at the teaching site using face-to-face, one-on-one, semi-structured, open-ended, in-depth, and focus group. Informal onsite interviews were conducted during breaks. As a result of the analysis of university students’ perceptions of university physical education learning obtained through interviews, it was found that learning through the body and exercise has a relational structure in which students deepen further questions through various ways of knowing, and experience joy in doing so. It was found that the uniqueness based on physicality and awareness of the body expressed by science and engineering university students’ view of university physical education could be positioned as STEAMS (STEAM + Sports) education that develops a new element of creativity in STEAM education. It was inferred that there are clues to the uniqueness of university physical education learning in these points. This suggests that in terms of fostering creative human resources at universities, it is important to set up learning opportunities rich in such diversity, guarantee opportunities to deepen questions, and question the nature of STEAMS education that accumulates experiences that fascinate people to create.
