Understanding the impact of a teacher education course on attitudes towards gender equity in physical activity and sport: An exploratory mixed methods evaluation

Abstract

This study explored the impact of a university teacher education course on preservice and inservice teachers’ attitudes towards gender equity in physical activity and sport.

Preservice teachers (n = 40) completed an Implicit Association Test and explicit attitude measures pre- and post-course. Focus group interviews were conducted with preservice and inservice teachers (n = 24).

Preservice teachers reduced their negative implicit and explicit attitudes towards girls and activity. Preservice and inservice teachers also improved their awareness and gained skills to address gender-related issues in schools. Targeted teacher education courses have the potential to improve gender equity in schools.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103421