A1 Journal article (refereed)
Liikuntakasvatuksen eetos (2012)
The Ethos of Physical Education

Heikkinen, H. L., Huttunen, R., & Pesonen, J. (2012). Liikuntakasvatuksen eetos. Liikunta & Tiede, 49(6), 18-22. file://fileservices.ad.jyu.fi/homes/rsalmine/Downloads/lt612_tutkimusartikkelit_heikkinen_lowres.pdf

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Heikkinen, Hannu L.T.; Huttunen, Rauno; Pesonen, Jyri

Journal or series: Liikunta & Tiede

ISSN: 0358-7010

Publication year: 2012

Volume: 49

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 18-22

Publisher: Liikuntatieteellinen seura

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

Persistent website address: file://fileservices.ad.jyu.fi/homes/rsalmine/Downloads/lt612_tutkimusartikkelit_heikkinen_lowres.pdf

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85898

Abstract

The article focuses on the ethos of physical education as a foundation of PE in schools and the education of PE teachers. The concept of the ‘ethos of physical education’ refers to a set of practices, social structures, habits, routines, beliefs and values that guide us in physical education. The fundamental aim of this article is to study the question of to what extent the ethos of physical education derives from the ethos of sport. In the article, the beliefs of PE teachers about the practices of PE are mirrored against a given philosophical view. Our empirical data consists of a public debate that took place in autumn 2011 in the weekly magazine ‘Opettaja’ of the Trade Union of Education in Finland. At the philosophical level, we introduce the concept of the ethos of physical education and its etymological origins. Our starting point is the question of how to promote good life through physical education. In the empirical analysis of the data we apply the classification developed by Hämäläinen (2008), which identifies five dimensions of the sport ethos: work, success, virtuosity, fun and care; all of which can be distinguished in the public debate in Opettaja’. The authors of the present article question whether the physical education debate should be extended beyond the experts in the field. In the authors’ view, bringing the debate closer to the public sphere serves to enrich physical education practices. The ultimate goal is to build the ethos of physical education upon a ‘positive circle of recognition’ in which different capitals of expertise are acknowledged by other participants in the discussion.

Keywords: physical education (upbringing); sports; ethos; physical education teachers; teacher training; philosophy of physical activity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2012

JUFO rating: 1