The effect of smartphone use in the physical education class

Abstract

Background and aims: In the present study, the authors investigated how the smartphone used in Physical Education class determines psychomotor performance, the perceived motivational environment, and motivation. As part of a four-week intervention program, students were allowed to use smartphones in Physical Education class. The purpose of the research was to assess how smartphone use affects performance and motivation. Method: Participants of the research project included students in the 11th grade of secondary school (21 male, 64 female, Mage = 16,72 years). The duration of the project was 12 lessons delivered in four weeks, members of Test group 1 participated in P.E. classes via ICT-supported learning, members of Test group 2 participated in P.E. lessons without ICT support. The researchers used a 20-m shuttle run test (psychomotor, endurance test) to examine the change in performance. The participants also had to complete a PMCSQ-2 questionnaire and an SMS questionnaire. Results: The results showed that in group where smartphones were used performance significantly improved, students covered greater distances and tended to choose longer assignments. The task orientation and the level of intrinsic motivation significantly improved. In group where ICT devices were not used also increased the performance due to the intervention, at the same time the scores related to the Ego main scale significantly increased and by the end of the project the value of a motivation increased significantly. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the use of ICT tools has a positive impact on performance and motivation in the teaching process of Physical Education.