Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction

PurposeSelf-reflection in physical education can effectively help teachers and students gain new insights and improve instruction. This study aims to conduct a specific analysis of research trends on self-reflection in physical education through scientometrics analysis, providing foundational materi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tong Zhou, Remigijus Bubnys, Lauras Grajauskas, Dolors Cañabate, Jordi Colomer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1645817/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849431854517583872
author Tong Zhou
Remigijus Bubnys
Lauras Grajauskas
Dolors Cañabate
Jordi Colomer
author_facet Tong Zhou
Remigijus Bubnys
Lauras Grajauskas
Dolors Cañabate
Jordi Colomer
author_sort Tong Zhou
collection DOAJ
description PurposeSelf-reflection in physical education can effectively help teachers and students gain new insights and improve instruction. This study aims to conduct a specific analysis of research trends on self-reflection in physical education through scientometrics analysis, providing foundational material for teachers’ and students’ self-development.MethodsA scientometric analysis was conducted using WOS and Scopus databases. The search terms were “physical education” and “self-reflection” (2000–2024). From 207 initially retrieved articles, 46 were selected through systematic screening. The K value was 94%, with reliability (R) of 0.9987.Results(1) The overall trend from 2000 to 2024 shows an upward trajectory, divided into three stages: early stage (2000–2013) with slow development, middle stage (2014–2018) with gradual growth, and recent stage (2019–2024) with a significant increase in the amount of publications. This trend reflects the field’s evolution from initial limited attention to increasing scholarly focus in recent years, especially after 2019. Regarding literature types, qualitative research (n = 22, 48%) and quantitative research (n = 16, 35%) are equally emphasized. The research focus has shifted from reflective practices in physical education from teachers and coaches in the early years to increasing studies on students’ and athletes’ self-reflection in recent years, reflecting a transition from teacher-centered to learner-centered research perspectives. (2) The assessment effects of self-reflection in physical education are mainly reflected in three aspects: skill improvement, cognitive development, and emotional attitudes. Common assessment tools include questionnaires, reflection journals, interviews, and observations. (3) In using self-reflection, teachers and students emphasize their role in ongoing process within physical education instruction. Both teachers and students recognize the efforts in integrating reflection into daily teaching and learning. The content of reflection should be comprehensive, covering skills, cognition, and emotions. Reflection methods should be diverse, adapting to different learners’ needs and preferences. Finally, creating a supportive environment is crucial for promoting effective reflection with teachers fostering an open, trusting atmosphere that encourages students to express and share their progress in learning.ConclusionEffectively integrating self-reflection into physical education practice still faces challenges. Teachers and students need to adopt diverse reflection strategies and incorporate them into daily teaching and learning. Creating a comprehensiveness environment, cultivating reflection habits, and utilizing technology to aid reflection are directions that need attention in future practice.
format Article
id doaj-art-bd8fd8ff05f245c7b8f8426461f10aaf
institution Kabale University
issn 2504-284X
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Education
spelling doaj-art-bd8fd8ff05f245c7b8f8426461f10aaf2025-08-20T03:27:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-07-011010.3389/feduc.2025.16458171645817Modes of self-reflection in physical education instructionTong Zhou0Remigijus Bubnys1Lauras Grajauskas2Dolors Cañabate3Jordi Colomer4Department of Physical Education, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaInstitute of Education, Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Šiauliai, LithuaniaInstitute of Education, Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Šiauliai, LithuaniaDepartment of Specific Didactics, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Girona, SpainDepartment of Physics, P2, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, Girona, SpainPurposeSelf-reflection in physical education can effectively help teachers and students gain new insights and improve instruction. This study aims to conduct a specific analysis of research trends on self-reflection in physical education through scientometrics analysis, providing foundational material for teachers’ and students’ self-development.MethodsA scientometric analysis was conducted using WOS and Scopus databases. The search terms were “physical education” and “self-reflection” (2000–2024). From 207 initially retrieved articles, 46 were selected through systematic screening. The K value was 94%, with reliability (R) of 0.9987.Results(1) The overall trend from 2000 to 2024 shows an upward trajectory, divided into three stages: early stage (2000–2013) with slow development, middle stage (2014–2018) with gradual growth, and recent stage (2019–2024) with a significant increase in the amount of publications. This trend reflects the field’s evolution from initial limited attention to increasing scholarly focus in recent years, especially after 2019. Regarding literature types, qualitative research (n = 22, 48%) and quantitative research (n = 16, 35%) are equally emphasized. The research focus has shifted from reflective practices in physical education from teachers and coaches in the early years to increasing studies on students’ and athletes’ self-reflection in recent years, reflecting a transition from teacher-centered to learner-centered research perspectives. (2) The assessment effects of self-reflection in physical education are mainly reflected in three aspects: skill improvement, cognitive development, and emotional attitudes. Common assessment tools include questionnaires, reflection journals, interviews, and observations. (3) In using self-reflection, teachers and students emphasize their role in ongoing process within physical education instruction. Both teachers and students recognize the efforts in integrating reflection into daily teaching and learning. The content of reflection should be comprehensive, covering skills, cognition, and emotions. Reflection methods should be diverse, adapting to different learners’ needs and preferences. Finally, creating a supportive environment is crucial for promoting effective reflection with teachers fostering an open, trusting atmosphere that encourages students to express and share their progress in learning.ConclusionEffectively integrating self-reflection into physical education practice still faces challenges. Teachers and students need to adopt diverse reflection strategies and incorporate them into daily teaching and learning. Creating a comprehensiveness environment, cultivating reflection habits, and utilizing technology to aid reflection are directions that need attention in future practice.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1645817/fullself-reflectionphysical educationinstructionlearner-centeredself-development
spellingShingle Tong Zhou
Remigijus Bubnys
Lauras Grajauskas
Dolors Cañabate
Jordi Colomer
Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction
Frontiers in Education
self-reflection
physical education
instruction
learner-centered
self-development
title Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction
title_full Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction
title_fullStr Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction
title_full_unstemmed Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction
title_short Modes of self-reflection in physical education instruction
title_sort modes of self reflection in physical education instruction
topic self-reflection
physical education
instruction
learner-centered
self-development
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1645817/full
work_keys_str_mv AT tongzhou modesofselfreflectioninphysicaleducationinstruction
AT remigijusbubnys modesofselfreflectioninphysicaleducationinstruction
AT laurasgrajauskas modesofselfreflectioninphysicaleducationinstruction
AT dolorscanabate modesofselfreflectioninphysicaleducationinstruction
AT jordicolomer modesofselfreflectioninphysicaleducationinstruction