Examination of the Effect of the Instructional Styles of Pre-Service Physical Education and Sports Teachers on the Ability of Self-Regulation

Mehmet Behzat TURAN1; Kenan KOÇ2

1Erciyes University Physical Education and Sport Department, Kayseri/Turkey
1Erciyes University Physical Education and Sport Department, Kayseri/Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of pre-service physical education teachers' instructional styles on self-regulation skills. For this purpose, the sample of the research consists of 608 students who were randomly selected among the ones who 4th-grade students continue their education at Physical Education and Sports College in Erciyes, Omer Halisdemir, Aksaray, Dumlupinar, Gaziantep, Firat, Selcuk, Ahi Evran, Inonu, Erzincan and Haci Bektas Veli Universities. In the study, 2 scales were used as data collection tool. The first of these, Instructional Style Preference Scale (ISPS), was developed by Renzulli et al. (2002). The Self-Regulation Skill Scale (SRSS) was developed by Arslan (2008) in order to determine the self-regulation skill levels of pre-service teachers. In addition, personal information forms developed by the researcher were used in the study. Statistical analyzes of the data obtained from the Personal Information Form were made with the SPSS 22.0 package program. The personal information and inventory total scores and factor scores for the candidates were given by determining the frequency (f) and percentage (%) values. Pearson Moments Multiplication Correlation analysis (r) was used to show the relationship between scores obtained from the scales. Multiple regression analysis (β) was applied to determine whether the scores obtained were predictive of each other. A significant relationship was found between the discussion, which is among the instructional styles, cognitive regulation sub-dimension and the programmed instruction. It has been found that there is a high level of correlation between the effort regulation sub dimension and the straight narration between the instructional styles. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the subscale of the organization of the study and the literal expression between the instructional styles. When the results of the study were examined, it was thought that, generally, those who are aware of and make use of the learning styles have higher self-regulation skills than those who do not pay attention to the use of instructional style and are more successful in terms of academic achievements.

Keywords: Instructional styles, Self-regulation, Physical education, Sport.

1. Introduction

In our era, it is important that the applied teaching methods are determined as taking and shaping the information with the participation of the learners, together with the learning and teaching of self-regulating skills. Therefore, learning environments in which one's learning process has the responsibility, decision-making and self-regulation opportunities, forced the use of mental abilities and active participation are being developed (Açıkgöz, 2003). The effect of the learners on the learning process has brought the concept of self-regulation into the agenda (Üredi and Üredi, 2007).

It is thought that the concept of self-regulation is one of the most important components of success and academic performance. For this reason, this concept has been modeled and defined by a number of theoretical perspectives. Self-regulation according to Üredi and Üredi (2007) is "an effective and constructive process in which learners set their own learning goals, try to adjust their cognition, motivations, and behaviors, and are directed and limited by their purpose and contextual features in their environment". Kauffman (2004) defines the concept of self-regulation as "an effort by learners to control and manage complex learning activities." Pajares (2008) describes this concept as "the supra-cognitive process that allows learners to understand and evaluate behaviors they exhibit, as well as to plan the alternative ways of success at the same time". Self-regulation draws attention to the role of individual control in human behavior and is primarily defined as the individual's control of his own behavior (Boeree, 2006).

Based on the performed studies, it is thought that self-regulation is influenced by various variables. When examining the relationship between self-regulation and the school and the educational environment, it is possible to think that the teaching styles are also one of these variables. Boakerts (1999) suggested that the learning style that an individual possesses plays an important role in the formation of self-regulation skills. Accordingly, one of the three basic elements of self-regulation based learning is the findings from the studies on learning styles. Individuals learn in different ways. At the end of the learning-teaching process, the fact that positive development cannot be achieved in all students has started the process of concentrating on learning styles (Lukow, 2002). Rani (2012) defines the learning style as "the state of choosing a learning state or condition from other situations and circumstances". Rani explains that learning styles are included in the teaching, "if the learning is good in a class with a large number of learners, then the students are learning individually, in other words, they have discovered the learning style." Tulbure (2012) stated that a learning style-oriented teaching enhances the academic success of the students and that this type of teaching has positive effects on learning outcomes, attitudes towards the lesson, and learning motivations. Li and He (2016) argue that giving learners the opportunity to learn with their preferred learning style will make it easier for students to learn. They also add that learning styles increase academic achievement, increase motivation, make learning more effective and beneficial, that the teacher has more knowledge about the level of learning, and that it greatly reduces learning difficulties.

The purpose of our study is to determine the extent to which pre-service physical education teachers in physical education and sports college are 'studying the effects of instructional styles on self-regulation skills' and, if so, how. When it comes to the literature, it is seen that studies on the subject are very few, especially in the field of physical education and sports. From this point of view, our work is thought to be contributing to the literature.

2. Material and Method

2.1. Study Group

In the study, relational scanning method was used. The relational scanning style is a research model aimed at determining the presence and/or the degree of exchange between two or more variables (Karasar, 2009). Accordingly, in the research, it was examined whether there is a meaningful relationship between instructional style preferences and self-regulation skills and which style preferences predict self-regulation skills.

2.2. Data Collection Tool

In the study, during the implementation of the questionnaires, the explanations were made by the researchers, each of the pre-service teachers, within a wide range of time and without haste, and an attempt was made to create an evaluation process sufficient for the participants. In addition, favorable conditions have been provided for candidates to fill out forms in a comfortable environment. Data collection instruments used in the research were Instructional Style Preference Scale, Self-Regulation Skill Scale, and also the personal information forms developed by the researcher.

2.3. Instructional Style Preference Scale

The Instructional Style Preference Scale (ISPS) was developed by Renzulli et al. (2002) and adapted to Turkish by Öğretme (2001). The main purpose of the scale is to determine which teaching style students prefer to learn. The scale consists of 65 items and nine dimensions as the project, independent study, practice and memorization, discussion, direct teaching (straight narration), programmed teaching, simulated teaching, peer learning and teaching games.

2.4. Self-Regulation Scale

It was developed by Arslan (2008) in order to determine the self-regulation skill levels of pre-service teachers. The scale consists of one dimension and 20 items. The items in the measure are arranged as a 5-point scale as "I strongly agree", "I agree", "Undecided", "I do not agree", "I strongly disagree". 12 of the items in the scale are positive, and eight are negative. The highest total score of the scale is 100 and the lowest score is 20. In the study, negative questions were taken into consideration by inverse scoring. The Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient of the original scale was calculated as .87.

2.5. Creation of Voluntary Groups

The research will be conducted through the study group. The study group is composed of 4th-grade students who are studying in the Department of Physical Education and Sports College in Erciyes, Omer Halisdemir, Aksaray, Dumlupinar, Gaziantep, Firat, Selcuk, Ahi Evran, Inonu, Erzincan and Haci Bektas Veli Universities.

A total of 645 students, who were selected randomly and studied in the department of physical education teaching, participated in the study. At least 5 people, and at most 10 people at each university were not included in the study group because they encoded the form and the inventory incompletely. As a result, the sample of the research consisted of 608 individuals in total.

Table-1. Socio-demographic information of participants

  Variables N %
Gender Male 274 45.1
Female 334 54.9
  18-20 12 2
Age 21-23 385 63.3
  24-26 124 20.4
  Over 27 87 14.3
Universities Erciyes 61 10,0
Omer Halis Demir 59 9,7
Aksaray 56 9,2
Dumlupinar 54 8,9
Gaziantep 51 8,4
Firat 52 8,6
Selcuk 60 9,9
Ahi Evran 52 8,6
Haci Bektas Veli 53 8,7
Inonu 57 9,4
Erzincan 53 8,7
  10-Jan 380 62.5
Weekly Class Work Duration 20-Nov 147 24.2
  21-30 52 8.6
  31+ 29 4.8
  1.50-2.25 57 9.4
General Academic Avarege 2.26-3.00 269 44.2
  3.01-3.50 236 38.8
  3.51-4.00 46 7.6

2.6. Socio-Demographic Information Form

While creating the socio-demographic information form of the study, "Self-regulation and Learning Styles" and "Socio-demographic information forms" in the literature were examined and a pool composed of the characteristics to be examined in the students was created. Later, with the help of statistics experts, a socio-demographic information form was created. This socio-demographic information form is composed of 5 questions in order to obtain participants' age, gender, weekly course duration, graduation status and general academic grade average information.

2.7. Analysis of Data

The data obtained from the "Instructional Styles and Self-Organizing Scale" with the Personal Information Form and the scores reached were entered into the SPSS 22.0 program pack and analyzed through this program. The personal information and inventory total scores and factor scores for the candidates were given by determining the frequency (f) and percentage (%) values. Multiple regression analysis was applied to determine whether Pearson Moments Multiplication Correlation analysis (r) and the scores obtained were predictive of each other and to reveal the relationship between the scores obtained from the scales (β).

3. Findings

Table-2. Descriptive statistics of students' responses to the questionnaire

    N Minimum Maximum X±SD
Self-regulations         3.65±0.69
Cognitive regulation 608 1,00 5,00 3.39±0.79
Regulation of effort 608 1,00 5,00 2.98±0.82
Regulation of time and work 608 1,00 5,00  
Instructional Styles           
Project 608 1.67 4.89 3.57±0.60
Independent study 608 1.5 4.88 3.60±0.58
Practice and memorizing 608 1.75 5 3.52±058
Discussion 608 1.38 5 3.75±0.60
Direct teaching 608 1.71 5 3.85±0.64
Programmed teaching 608 1.57 5 3.62±0.56
Simulation 608 1.17 4.83 3.41±0.62
Peer teaching 608 1.17 5 3.54±0.63
Instructional games 608 1 5 3.25±0.73

When Table 2 is examined, it was determined that the average of the Cognitive Regulation sub-dimension is 3.65, the average of the Effort Regulation dimension is 3.39, and the average of the Time and Work Regulation dimension is 2.98. On the other hand, the average of the Project sub-dimension was 3.57, the average of the Independent Study was 3.60, the average of the Practice and Memorizing dimension was 3.52, the average of the Discussion feature was 3.75, the average of the Straight Narration style was 3.85, the average of the Programmed Teaching method was 3.62, the average of the simulation style was 3.41, the average of the Peer Teaching was 3.54, and the average of the Instructional Games style was 3.25.

Table-3. Correlation Coefficients between Students' Self-Regulation Skills and Instructional Styles

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Cognitive thinking1 r 1                      
p                        
N 608                      
Regulation of efforts2 r .284** 1                    
p 0                      
N 608 608                    
Regulation of time and work3 r .117** .412** 1                  
p 0.004 0                    
N 608 608 608                  
Project4 r .216** .227** .122 ** 1                
p 0 0 0.003                  
N 608 608 608 608                
Independent study5 r .223** .235** .143 ** .587** 1              
p 0 0 0 0                
N 608 608 608 608 608              
Practice memorizing 6 r .245** .174** .125 ** .668** .599** 1            
p 0 0 0.002 0 0              
N 608 608 608 608 608 608            
Discussion7 r .376** .206** .141 ** .623** .590** .647 ** 1          
p 0 0 0 0 0 0            
N 608 608 608 608 608 608 608          
Direct teaching8 r .351** .324** .196 ** .547** .581** .575 ** .704 ** 1        
p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0          
N 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608        
Programmed teaching9 r .327** .224** .113 ** .598** .561** .575 ** .604 ** .623 ** 1      
p 0 0 0.005 0 0 0 0 0        
N 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608      
Simulation10 r .172** 0.096 0.04 .506** .391** .531 ** .437 ** .377 ** .583** 1    
p 0 0.018 0.319 0 0 0 0 0 0      
N 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608    
Peer teaching11 r .296** .165** 0.057 .501** .370** .400 ** .497 ** .535 ** .497** .457** 1  
p 0.009 0 0.159 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    
N 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608  
  r .201** .097* -33 .557 ** .427** .494** .391 ** .343 ** .451 ** .540 ** .495** 1
Instructional games12 p 0 0.017 0.421 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  
  N 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608 608

*p<o.o5,**p<0.001

Table-4. Regression Table for Predicting the Instructional Styles of Students' Self-Regulation Skills

Self-regulation Instructional styles β t p R F P
Cognitive regulation         0.431 0.186 15.148 0
Project -0.129 .2.217 0.027        
Independent study -0.053 -2.217 0.31        
Practice and memorizing -0.003 -0.044 0.965        
Discussion 0.263 4.384 0        
Direct teaching 0.113 1.908 0.057        
Programmed teaching 0.169 2.969 0.003        
Simulation -0.085 -1.672 0.095        
Peer teaching 0.11 2.233 0.026        
  Instructional games 0.07 4.384 0.161        
Regulation of effort         0.347 0.121 9.12 0
Project 0.127 2.106 0.036        
Independent study 0.08 1.469 0.142        
Practice and memorizing -0.058 -0.949 0.343        
Discussion -0.09 -1.438 0.151        
Direct teaching 0.312 5.072 0        
Programmed teaching 0.047 0.794 0.428        
Simulation -0.048 -0.908 0.364        
Peer teaching -0.008 -0.148 0.883        
Instructional games -0.043 -0.823 0.411        
Regulation of time and work         0.243 0.059 4.172 0
Project 0.079 1.26 0.208        
Independent study 0.062 1.097 0.273        
Practice and memorizing 0.035 0.559 0.576        
Discussion -0.014 -0.21 0.833        
Direct teaching 0.18 2.825 0.005        
Programmed teaching -0.007 -0.107 0.915        
Simulation -0.002 -0.042 0.967        
  Peer teaching -0.025 -0.47 0.639        
  Instructional games -0.16 -2.985 0.003        

F (9.598)

When Table 3 is examined, it is observed that the cognitive regulation feature's relation with the project method (r =.216 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with the independent study (r =.223 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with practice and memorizing (r =.245 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with the discussion method (r =.376 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with direct teaching (r =.351 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with programmed teaching (r =.327 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with simulation (r =.172 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, with peer teaching (r =.296 p =.000) was significant in the positive direction, and with instructional games (r =.201 p =.000), was significant in the positive direction. Regulation of efforts' relation with the project method (r =.227 p =.000), with the independent study (r =.235 p =.000), with practice and memorizing (r =.174 p =.000), with the discussion method (r =.206 p =.000), with direct teaching (r =.324 p =.000), with programmed teaching (r =.224 p =.000) and peer teaching (r =.165 p =.000) was found to be significant in the positive direction. However, a low level of correlation was found between the regulation of efforts and instructional games (r =.097 p =.017) and simulation (r =.096 p =.018). The ability to regulate time and work's relation with the project method (r =.122 p =.003), the independent study (r =.143 p =.000), practice and memorizing (r =.125 p =.002), discussion method (r =.141 p =.000), direct teaching (r =.196 p =.000), and programmed teaching (r =.113 p =.005) was found to be significant in the positive direction. However, there were no significant correlations with peer teaching (r =.057 p =.159), instructional games (r = -.033 p =.421) and simulation (r =.040 p=.319).

When Table 4 is examined, it can be observed that the model formed between cognitive regulation and instructional styles provides a significant relationship (R = .431 R2 = .186; p <.001). When the results of the t-test for the significance of the regression coefficient were examined, it was seen that discussion (t = 4.384 p = .000), programmed teaching (t = 2.969 p = .003) and cognitive regulation characteristics predicted the instructional styles characteristic and explained 18.6% of the total variance F (9.598) = 15.148 (p<.005).

The model formed between regulation of efforts and instructional styles also provides a significant relationship (R = .347 R2 = .121; p <.001). When the results of the t-test on the significance of the regression coefficient were examined, it was seen that direct teaching (t = 5.072 p = .000) and regulation of efforts properties predicted the instructional styles characteristic and explained 12.1% of the total variance. F (9.598) = 9.120 (p<.005).

The model formed between instructional styles and the regulation of time and work also provides a significant relationship (R = .243 R2 = .059; p <.001). When the t-test results for the significance of the regression coefficient were examined, it was seen that instructional games (t = -2.985 p = .003) and regulation of time and work characteristics predicted the instructional styles characteristic and explained 5.9% of the total variance F (9.598) = 4.172 p<.005).

4. Discussion and Conclusion

In this study, a high level of positive correlation was found between cognitive regulation sub-dimension and instructional styles, discussion and programmed teaching. The use of instructional style predicted the variance of cognitive regulation sub-dimension as 18.6%. Sarıgöz (2013) defines the discussion method as providing students with the development of cognitive and affective areas by improving their ability to listen, think, inquire, criticize, synthesize and evaluate. According to Çubukçu et al. (2011) this method can be used to achieve goals in both affective and cognitive domains. According to Kaya and Kılıç (2008) "discussion is defined as a series of speeches made to explain the contradiction between two conflicting situations or an event made to reach reasonable, rational decisions". In the study conducted by Yazıcı (2003) it was found that after using the discussion method in primary education, there was an improvement in the subjects such as equality, openness, respect for the opinions, participation, resorting to the vote of the class, being scientific and willingness to discuss. In another study, Can (2005) found that the six thinking hats technique, which is another discussion method, positively affected student achievement in primary school social studies class. In Kısa (2007) he determined that the use of the brainstorming technique, another discussion method, was more effective than the method of narration in the teaching of concepts in the sixth-grade social studies course. On the other hand, in the teaching technology course, Anyasi et al. (2008) found that the programmed teaching method affected the academic achievement of the students. Uz (2009) found that programmed teaching method and cooperative learning method affect students' attitudes towards their academic achievements in the teaching of "Mixtures" in Science and Technology class. As noted in the literature, both discussion and programmed teaching methods are thought to be predictive of the cognitive regulation sub-dimension since they are methods that address the cognitive domain and are characterized by the regulation and systematization of learning.

Regulation of efforts sub-dimension and direct teaching, which is one of the instructional styles, has been found to be highly positively related. The use of instructional style predicts the variance of the regulation of efforts sub-dimension by 12.1%. It is helpful to use the method of narration when the time is limited, in describing the most important part of the subject, in explaining how to do the activities and in summarizing the information at the end of teaching and when it is necessary to tell the subject to a large group. In addition, this method also contributes to the students' being a good listener (Ünalan, 2001). In the method of narration that Ausubel suggested, the teaching is based on the approach, in which the information is presented to the students. Teaching through presentation is the process of giving information in a carefully arranged, sequenced and ready-to-receive form. In this way, it is taught that the general principles and concepts are given first and that detailed information is gained. When we look at the nature of the regulation of efforts sub-dimension, Chen (2002) pointed out that "the student intends to concentrate his attention on the job when he/she fulfills a task in the academic environment and wants to control the effort without being influenced by external stimuli." From this point on, the regular presentation of systematic information is considered to be a method for a student having a high level of regulation of efforts characteristic.

There is a significant positive relationship between the regulation of time and work sub-dimension and direct teaching, which is one of the instructional styles. The use of instructional style predicts the variance of the regulation of time and work sub-dimension by 5.9%. Time management strategy is the process of planning and adapting to the plan to use time effectively. Zimmerman et al. (1992) found in their studies that the academic achievement levels of those who use this strategy are higher. On the other hand, the arrangement of the working environment is the way the student prepares the learning environment in a comfortable way before starting work.

According to Açikgöz (1998) in the direct teaching method, the speaker's organizing the information and planning in advance should not go out of the subject. He/she should be clear and understandable and have a tone in a way that attracts the attention of the listener. During the lecture, he/she should motivate the student using audiovisual tools, clues, questions and jokes. The presentation should be planned in the form of introduction, body and conclusion. Based on this information, it is thought that it would be normal for a person, who wants to use time and working environment, to prefer to use a planned presentation and work style by choosing the method of presentation.

When the results of the study are examined in general terms, it is considered that those who are aware of and use the learning styles have high self-regulation skills and are more successful in their academic achievements than those who do not pay attention to the instructional styles, so that teachers should know the instructional styles and use them according to the group and guide the students accordingly regarding the subject, and this will increase the quality of education.

5. Suggestions

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