The Self stepping into the shoes of the Other: Understanding and developing self-perceptions of empathy among prospective physical education teachers through a special school placement

MAHER, A.J. and MORLEY, David (2019). The Self stepping into the shoes of the Other: Understanding and developing self-perceptions of empathy among prospective physical education teachers through a special school placement. European Physical Education Review, 1356336X1989036-1356336X1989036.

Preview

PDF Morley_Self_Stepping_Into(AM).pdf - Accepted Version All rights reserved. Download (460kB) | Preview

Abstract

Teachers who demonstrate a high degree of empathy are said to have more positive attitudes towards pupils with disabilities. Therefore, this article sought to explore the influence of a special school placement on prospective teachers’ self-perceptions of empathy. Thirty-two final year undergraduate students participated in focus group interviews and were selected because they aspired to be a physical education teacher and had attended a placement in a special school. Interview transcripts were analysed and the following themes constructed: Stepping into the shoes of the Other; Frustrated ‘for’ not ‘with’ pupils with disabilities; Empathy for planning inclusive lessons and ‘reading’ pupil body language; and Knowing when not to show empathy. All prospective teachers felt that: (a) they could empathise with pupils with disabilities; (b) situated learning experiences within the placement enabled them to reflect on the ways in which their empathy influences their teaching now and could continue to do so in the future; and (c) it was important that teachers demonstrated empathy. Thus, it is recommended that all prospective teachers gain some experience teaching in special schools. Our research also warns against teachers claiming the last, conclusive word about who children with disabilities are, what they think, how they feel and what they want, in myriad contexts and situations.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Empathy; pupils with disabilities; school-based placements; teacher education; Sport Sciences; 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X19890365
Page Range:	1356336X1989036-1356336X1989036
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Elements
Depositing User:	Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2020 16:21
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 02:36
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/25838

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads

Publication Metrics