TEACHERS' BELIEFS REGARDING TEACHING STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

The purpose of a present study was to investigate the professional beliefs of Slovenian physical education teachers regarding the teaching of students with visual impairments in physical education. A selfadministered questionnaire was designed to examine teachers’beliefs. Participants, 131 Slovenian PE teachers, rated their professional beliefs on a fivepoint Likert scale. A factor analysis was conducted to examine the internal structure of the belief field. The results show that self-perceptions of their beliefs were complex and consisted of 7 factors, which together explained 33.7% of the cumulative variance. Teachers strongly believe that vocal information, colourful sports equipment, and tactical guides enable students with visual impairment to participate in physical education. Adapted methods, safety measures, and learning support assistants are also important, as is a positive attitude toward inclusion. The findings of the present study need to be incorporated into the future updating of PE teacher training programmes for teaching students with visual impairments.