THE INCORPORATION OF TECHNOLOGY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND TEACHER INSIGHTS OF THE INFLUENCE IT HAS ON INVOLVEMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS IN ZAMBEZI REGION, NAMIBIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the incorporation of technology in physical education and teacher insights of the influence it has on involvement of primary school learners in Zambezi Region, Namibia. This study used a qualitative approach which was employed to collect information from respondents. The study’s participants were 119 physical education teachers and 2380 learners purposively selected from 119 public and private schools in Zambezi Region of Namibia. Information was gathered using a 3 item subjective questionnaire designed by the researcher and data was analysed thematically. The study results shows that the most technological gadgets such as health monitors, heart rate monitors, smartphone applications, smart watches and videos increase learners and teachers involvement in physical education lessons. Moreover, this study results further shows that, the use of technology in physical education classes increase fitness and competition levels of learners. Lastly this study results shows that teacher’s readiness and competency they have with the use of technology determines how likely they will use technology in physical education classes, for instance the more skilled the teachers are with technology, the more likely they use technology. On the other hand, the less skilled the teachers are, the less likely they will apply or use technology in physical education classes.