Research foci
There are few reliable and valid ways to measure content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK i.e., the representation and selection of content and the pedagogical strategies used to teach that content). The purpose of the project is to develop, validate and interpret measures of CK and PCK.
Research Summary
Our first task is to extend Rink’s (1979) content development categories to address more nuanced instruction using small sided games and application games where instruction occurs in the context of games. Second, we have developed, assessed and examined a set of hypotheses and accompanying formulae that measure content development, relative to instructional tasks used in content maps, lesson plans and during instruction. Third we assess beginning and expert teachers using these measures.
Theoretical assumptions
- PCK can be observed in (a) the description of the task a teacher provides.
- PCK exists on continuums of maturity and effectiveness and this can be measured
- Content knowledge and in particular, specialized content knowledge is a very strong predictor of PCK.
- Our work is grounded in applied behavior analysis.
Studies
Tsuda, E., Ward, P., Ohnishi, Y., & & Yoshino, S. (2019). Japanese physical education preservice teachers’ specialized content knowledge. International Journal of Sport and Health Science. 17, 186-196.
Tsuda, E., Ward, P., Yoshino, S., Ogiwara, T., He, Y., & Ohnishi, Y. (2019). Validity and reliability of a volleyball common content knowledge test for Japanese physical education preservice teachers. International Journal of Sport and Health Science. Inter 17, 178-185.
Lee, H., Ko, B., Ward, P., Lee, T., Higginson, K., He, Y., & Lee, Y (2018). Development and validation of common content knowledge test for soccer. Korean Journal of Sports Science, 4, 650-659.
He, Y., Ward, P., & Wang, X. (2018). Validation of a common content knowledge test for soccer. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. 37, 407-412. DOI: 10.1123/jtpe.2017-0204
Dervent, F., Devrilmez, E., Ince, M.L., Ward, P. (2018). Beden Eğitimi Öğretmenleri için Futbol Genel Alan Bilgisi Bilgi Erişi Testinin Güvenilirlik ve Geçerliği (Reliability and validity of a football common content knowledge test for physical education teachers) Spor Bilimleri Dergisi (Hacettepe Journal of Sport Sciences). 29(1), 39-52.
Devrilmez E., Dervent, F., Ince, L., & Ward, P. (2018). A test of common content knowledge for gymnastics.European Review of Physical Education. DOI: 10.1177/1356336X17751232.
Ward, P., Dervent, F., Lee, Y-S, Ko, B., Kim, I. & Tao, W. (2017). Using content maps to measure content development in physical education: Validation and application. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. 36,20-31.
Ward, P., Lehwald, H., & Lee, Y.S. (2015). Content maps: A teaching and assessment tool for content knowledge. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 86(5), 46-54