Occupational socialization in pre-service physical education teachers

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 17; no. 7; p. e0271772
• Main Author: Zhang, Dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Public Library of Science 21.07.2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Acculturation; Biology and Life Sciences; Early experience; Education; Educational programs; Interviews; Methods; People and Places; Physical education; Physical education teachers; Professional development; Professional training; Research and Analysis Methods; Social aspects; Social Sciences; Socialization; Students; Teacher education; Teachers; Teaching; Validity; China
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271772

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in occupational socialization (OS) among pre-service physical education teachers’ (PPETs) in four year groups. 238 PPETs from a Chinese university. An online survey and the semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The younger PPETs felt more prepared and believed in the benefit of professional development more than the older PPETs. The PPETs’ acculturation had a critical influence on their OS. The lack of early field experience may explain why the seniors felt less confident than their younger counterparts. This study would contribute a new angle to discuss the OS and physical education teacher education program quality, especially the design of the teaching practice opportunities, together.