The integration of digital technology into educational settings is expanding rapidly. One emerging didactical approach is flipped learning (FL), which leverages digital, internet-based technologies to deliver key instructions prior to classes. It then uses active learning opportunities during face-to-face meetings that encourage students to apply what they previously learned online. The format of FL naturally expands active learning during classes, which aligns well with the movement-based foundations of physical education (PE). Given the relative novelty of the approach within this subject, however, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify existing research, offer an initial FL approach for PE, and suggest directions for future study. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews guidelines directed this review, and four databases were searched. A total of 16 studies qualified for inclusion. Study contexts and methods varied widely, but a majority focused on motivation and learning as the primary outcome measures. Ten studies reported how the use of FL positively impacted student motivation, while nine studies illustrated how FL might be able to support student learning. Other studies indicated the potential of FL to increase motor skill development opportunities and autonomy during classes, although further research is necessary. Overall, FL in PE appears to have a positive impact on student variables. Research on the design and implementation of both the digital and in-class instructional components will be necessary to guide best practice more appropriately. Further, rigorous research is also necessary to extend understanding of the influence of FL on student outcomes.

Physical education teacher education (PETE) programs are encouraged to develop teachers capable of delivering technology integrated learning experiences. Technological pedagogical content knowledge provides a framework for integrating technology into teacher education programs. Occupational socialization theory describes an educator’s recruitment, training, and socialization in the teaching profession. The purpose of this article is to propose a conceptual framework for helping preservice physical educators develop technological pedagogical content knowledge that is grounded in occupational socialization theory. We specifically recommend a four-phase approach to help preservice teachers (a) build their knowledge and learn to value technology in physical education, (b) observe and explore through instructor modeling and integration, (c) experiment and collaborate with mentoring and scaffolding, and (d) discover through innovation and utilization. These suggestions acknowledge the sociopolitical aspects of learning to teach with technology and implications are discussed along with the need to help preservice teachers transfer technology integration into their professional careers.

This research note suggests the emergence of Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbots like ChatGPT pose challenges to the future of higher education. We as a field should pay attention to issues and opportunities associated with this technology across learning, teaching, and research spaces. We propose ignoring, or being indifferent to, predictions about what technologies like Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbots can do can cause us to do “dumb things.” All health and physical education teacher education faculty members should make efforts to learn about these tools to facilitate informed, solution-focused decisions about whether and where to leverage them. We highlight the importance of maintaining sociocritical perspectives when considering use of digital technologies to understand and address digital (in)equity and promote equitable practices. We conclude by emphasizing the need for field-specific consensus statements to guide ethical and appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbots, to ensure the value of these tools is harnessed for the good of the society. [Output by ChatGPT-3]

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of stress and anxiety to physical educators. This is likely due to school schedule changes, job security, balancing work and family commitments, and trying to navigate how to teach physical education in a distance learning format. Governments, schools, teachers, and families have been navigating the complexity of the mass shift to distance learning. The purpose of this feature is to address some frequently asked questions about teaching physical education remotely. Specifically, this article addresses meeting the needs of low-income students, at-home equipment strategies, teaching elementary physical education remotely, parent/guardian engagement, and building and maintaining relationships online. The social connectedness between teacher-student and student-student, which is inherently lacking in distance learning, is an important consideration for teachers. It is essential that teachers address the social needs for themselves and their students during remote teaching and learning. To adequately address each question, connections to research are made in addition to identifying best practices and instructional resources. Although the pandemic has created uncertain times, educators are resilient and will find a way to overcome barriers to meet the needs of their learners to achieve quality learning outcomes.

Purpose: Our purpose was to gather and evaluate accurate, up-to-date information on physical education (PE) policy implementation across multiple U.S. states and regions. Methods: A U.S. Physical Education and Physical Activity Policy questionnaire was developed and completed by 4,845 public-school PE teachers from 25 U.S. states. The U.S. Physical Education and Physical Activity Policy assessed PE quantity (days per week and minutes per week), class sizes by grade level, and practices that limit PE access. Descriptive statistics and correlations of PE minutes per week with class size were calculated in aggregate and individually by state. Results: Aggregate PE quantities in elementary, middle school, high school, and for students with disabilities were well below the recommendations (150 min/week elementary and 225 min/week secondary) and varied between states. Average students/class varied by state, and significant positive correlations between weekly PE minutes and students/PE class were observed. Discussion: PE access is limited across the United States, and stronger commitment to PE policy and policy implementation is needed.