Bodies, Gender and (Dis)ability in Course Literature Used in Physical Education Teacher Training

• Previous research shows that disabled pupils that are included in mainstream schools often have negative experiences of physical education (PE). The PE teachers, on the other hand, feel that they lack education in, knowledge about and experience of teaching these pupils. This paper presents results from a research project in which a document analysis is made of course literature about physical education of disabled pupils, used in PE teacher training in grade 7-9 at four Swedish universities. The aim is to explore the assumptions made about bodies, gender and (dis)ability. The project draws from the work of sociologist Dorothy Smith, who regards texts as factual, human practices, that constitute bridges between a ruling apparatus (in this case PE teacher training) and people’s everyday lives (the PE teachers’ and, finally, the pupils’). These texts regulate, co-ordinate and interfere in people’s local practices. Text should here be understood in a broader sense: pictures, blurbs, list of contents etc. are included in the empirical material. The amount of literature that deals with questions of disabilities differs a lot. While one university devotes 7.5 credits to the subject, others pay little or none attention to these questions. Furthermore, it is an able-bodied ”we” that educates and leads those who are disabled. Some texts only discuss how to adapt the teaching and physical environment, while others bring up teachers’ and classmates’ attitudes too. Gender is absent in most texts, in one example, however, gender stereotypes are reproduced. Only one text has a norm critical perspective on gender and ability. The course literature offers resources of differing types, quantity and quality. It influences the teachers’ and pupils’ experiences of PE as well as of their own bodies. A combination of theoretical research based and practically oriented course literature would be desirable, and can contribute to a more inclusive education for all pupils.

Nyckelord

disability

physical education

course literature

gender

teacher training

Smith

Dorothy

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)