Research articles

A Qualitative Study of a Selection of Male High School Teachers’ Perceptions and Practise of Fair Play in Physical Education

March 13, 2024

Ove Olsen Sæle¹, Åse Nylenna Akslen² & Cecilie Ristesund³¹ Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences; ² Department of Pedagogy, Religion and Social Studies, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences; ³ Royal Norwegian Navy, Haakonsvern Naval Base

Recent research from Norwegian schools shows that fair play in physical education, rather than being an educational goal, is used as a tool for regulating behaviour and organising teaching. Fair play in physical education received strong emphasis in the Norwegian curriculum for 2012 but was removed as a concept in the curriculum for 2020 (LK20), although it retained its legitimacy. Fair play in the field of physical education in Norway has been discussed in several academic articles, yet there are few empirical studies on how fair play is perceived and practised by physical education teachers in the field.

Our study thoroughly examines how a selection of Norwegian male teachers in upper-secondary school perceive and practise fair play in teaching. The study’s research question asks how fair play is perceived and practised by a selection of physical education teachers in upper-secondary school.

In the discussion of its findings, the study considers Sheridan’s conceptualisation of fair play, which employs seven perspectives on fair play that take the term ‘ethos’ as a key concept. In this study, six physical education teachers in upper-secondary school were interviewed. The findings show that the teachers have varied understandings of fair play. Apparently, they may also practise the concept differently and, overall, they cover Sheridan’s seven theoretical perspectives. A key finding is that the teachers in the study link fair play first and foremost to aspects of mastery, inclusion, and social skills.

Click here to read this peer reviewed article in Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum, Vol. 15, 2024

OVE OLSEN SÆLE is a Professor at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports, campus Bergen. His interests focus on educational, ethical and philosophical discussions related to Sport and to Physical Education in school and kindergarten.

ÅSE NYLENNA AKSLEN is an Associate Professor at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Department of Pedagogy, Religion and Social Studies, campus Bergen. Her interests focus on value-based education, play and learning, and leadership in Early Childhood Education and Primary School.

CECILIE RISTESUND is a Welfare Specialist in the Royal Norwegian Navy, stationed at Haakonsvern Naval Base. She holds a Master’s degree in Sport Sciences and a Bachelor degree in Physical Education and Sports, both from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. In addition to the Basic Officer Candidate Course, she has graduated the first two levels of Advanced Officer Candidate Training Courses at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy. Her academic interests include Joy of Movement, Active Lifestyle and Nutrition Awareness.