Preparing Preservice Teachers via Teaching Methods Courses: A Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose: To review past research on teaching methods courses with preservice physical education teachers and preservice elementary classroom teachers. Method: This study was guided by the 2017 National Standards for Initial Physical Education Teacher Education. A thorough literature search was conducted using online databases, and a total of 28 articles were selected for review. Results: About two thirds of the reviewed studies were related to elementary methods courses, and 10.7% of the studies were quantitative. Perceptions and confidence in teaching physical education were the focus of studies for preservice elementary classroom teachers, while pedagogical knowledge development and restructuring was the primary emphasis for preservice physical education teachers via elementary methods course. Research on the secondary methods course yielded no salient themes. Conclusions: Research on the topic has been incongruent with the national standards. More experimental and quantitative studies are needed in the future.