Empowering primary school teacher to include pupils with special education needs into physical education classes using digital tools

Primary physical (PE) education is a cornerstone for foundation for lifelong engagement in physical activity and sport. Studies showed, that pupils with special educational needs (SEND) are less l...

The main goal of our project was to empower primary school teacher to include pupils with special educational needs into physical education classes assisted by digital tools. To achieve this objective, we focused on identifying teachers' competences in information communication technology and inclusive class creation, along with their perceived self-efficacy in inclusive physical education. Subsequently, we developed digitalized content for primary school teachers, facilitating their work in inclusive PE classes and guiding them in utilizing digital platforms through assistance and support measures.

The main goal of the project is to empower primary school teachers to include pupils with special education needs in physical education classes assisted by digital tools. There are activities implemented in our project: Report of a research study on primary school teachers' self-efficacy and the use of digital technologies to include children with special educational needs in physical education lessons was created. To prepare empowering content for primary school teachers we wanted to understand the existing gaps related with teachers’ digital competencies and their self-efficacy in adaptation of educational content to pupils with SEN. The process of analyzing above issue in four countries (Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland) was divided into two phases – qualitative study based on opinions of experienced PE teachers working in the field with pupils with SEN and using digital resources, and quantitative study designed to analyze broadly the current situation. The qualitative study-Focus group interview - was done in each country with 3 to 6 expert teachers. All countries produced national reports, and AWF summarized and prepared the Final focus group report. The digital competencies and inclusive class creation competencies and perceived self-efficacy of primary school teachers were investigated using a survey. The survey questionnaire was created based on Focus group report, self-efficacy scale SE-PETE-D and TPACK-21 scale, which were modified to address the professional context. The questionnaire was prepared in English and translated into the national languages of the partners' countries: Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. The survey was conducted online. Created digitized content for teachers- The SENDIteach platfom was created. This platform dedicated for primary education teachers and to empower teachers to use digital platform by providing an assistance and support. First step was development of the structure of content of the learning material. All partner countries developed a module of theoretical and digital learning materials according to the mutually distributed types of disabilities according to the pre-agreed manual for the preparation of the module. Each prepared module was translated into the national languages of the partner countries. An agreed number of videos, lesson notes and other materials were collected and placed on the newly created digital platform 'SENDITeach platform'. Primary school teachers were given a questionnaire about the benefits of the digital platform to improve its content. Feedback from teachers who participated in the presentation of these project results showed that the results of the helped teachers acquire the basic competencies of APE and strengthened their digital competencies. Teachers were happy that digital learning and teaching content, and educational support can be found in one place, i.e. on a digital platform. This will encourage the development of creativity. Face to face and online multiplier events were organized in each country. The results of the Field research study, physical activity modifications, developed digitized content were presented, together with workshops for primary school teachers and other stakeholders. Scientific article manuscript was created on basis of the teachers survey data.

Project results: 1. Report of a research study on primary school teachers' self-efficacy and the use of digital technologies to include children with special educational needs in physical education lessons (Field research study report) 2. Digitized content for primary school teachers-SENDIteach platfom. 3. Scientific article manuscript was prepared.