Collaborative instruction with external providers in primary physical education : a three-year comparative analysis of generalist teacher perspective

Luptáková, Gabriela (author), Balga, Tibor (author), Antala, Branislav (author), Cihová, Iveta (author), Argajová, Jaroslava (author), Dovičák, Martin (author), Sližik, Miroslav (author), Gurský, Tomáš (author), Macháček, Ján (author)

Physical education (PE) in primary schools is vital, but generalist teachers often lack specialized training. The "Coaches in Schools" project in Slovakia integrates external sports coaches into PE, aiming to improve teaching and student engagement. This study evaluated this tandem teaching model over three years (2021–2024), using questionnaires from 1018 generalist teachers assessing lesson delivery, activity quality, student engagement, and long-term feasibility. Data were analyzed using percentage analysis, Chi-square tests, and Cramer's V. Findings showed consistently high teacher satisfaction across all three years. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in observed variables between years, indicating program stability. Teachers rated activities as "Excellent" (87%–88%), supported long-term coach involvement (84%), and observed high student engagement (88%–90%). This suggests that collaboration between teachers and external providers effectively enhances lesson quality, student motivation, and teacher development. Crucially, teacher satisfaction remained robust, demonstrating the program's enduring effectiveness. Tandem teaching is an effective model for improving primary PE. Its success relies on strategic planning, structured integration, and teacher involvement. Future research should assess its long-term impact on students' motor skills, physical literacy, and physical activity engagement.

• Language: English
• Keywords: sport, tandem teaching, external coaches, elementary school
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FŠ - Faculty of Sport
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 21-34
• Numbering: Vol. 31, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-180521
• UDC: 796.01
• ISSN on article: 1318-2269
• DOI: 10.52165/kinsi.31.1.21-34
• COBISS.SI-ID: 238171651
• Publication date in RUL: 11.03.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Kinesiologia Slovenica. scientific journal on sport
• Shortened title: Kinesiol. Slov.
• Publisher: Fakulteta za šport, Inštitut za kineziologijo, Fakulteta za šport, Inštitut za kineziologijo, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1318-2269
• COBISS.SI-ID: 30681856

Licences

• License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
• Description: This Creative Commons license is very similar to the regular Attribution license, but requires the release of all derivative works under this same license.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Sodelovalno poučevanje z zunanjimi ponudniki pri pouku športne vzgoje v osnovni šoli : triletna primerjalna analiza perspektive splošnih učiteljev

Abstract

Športna vzgoja (ŠV) v osnovnih šolah je ključnega pomena, vendar splošni učitelji pogosto nimajo specializiranega znanja za poučevanje ŠV. Projekt "Trenerji v šolah" na Slovaškem vključuje zunanje športne trenerje v pouk ŠV z namenom izboljšanja poučevanja in večje vključenosti učencev. Ta študija je ovrednotila model tandemskega poučevanja v obdobju treh let (2021–2024) z uporabo vprašalnikov, ki jih je izpolnilo 1018 splošnih učiteljev. Ti so ocenjevali izvedbo učnih ur, kakovost aktivnosti, vključenost učencev in dolgoročno izvedljivost programa. Podatki so bili analizirani s procentualno analizo, χ² testi in Cramerjevim V. Rezultati so pokazali konstantno visoko zadovoljstvo učiteljev v vseh treh letih. Statistična analiza ni razkrila pomembnih razlik med leti pri opazovanih spremenljivkah, kar kaže na stabilnost programa. Učitelji so aktivnosti ocenili kot "Odlične" (87 %–88 %), podpirali dolgoročno vključevanje trenerjev (84 %) ter zaznali visoko vključenost učencev (88 %–90 %). Ti rezultati nakazujejo, da sodelovanje med učitelji in zunanjimi izvajalci učinkovito izboljšuje kakovost pouka, motivacijo učencev in razvoj učiteljev. Ključnega pomena je, da je zadovoljstvo učiteljev ostalo visoko, kar dokazuje trajno učinkovitost programa. Tandemsko poučevanje se izkazuje kot učinkovit model za izboljšanje pouka ŠV v osnovnih šolah. Njegov uspeh je odvisen od strateškega načrtovanja, strukturirane integracije in vključevanja učiteljev. V prihodnjih raziskavah bi bilo smiselno oceniti dolgoročni vpliv programa na gibalne spretnosti učencev, gibalno pismenost in vključenost v telesno dejavnost.

• Keywords: šport, tandemsko poučevanje, zunanji trenerji, osnovna šola

Projects

• Funder: VEGA - Slovak Republic, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport
• Project number: 1/0127/23
• Name: Tandem Teaching of Physical and Sport Education in Primary School and its Impact on the Motor, Cognitive, and Affective Development of Pupils