RES 5040 Athletics in Education Scott Harrill
Research Question: What are some of the factors that can make athletics a positive experience on education and what factors may cause it to be a negative experience?
My first connection to the research at hand comes from my athletic background. Growing up, participating in, and coaching sports has been a life long journey. My professional background lead me into the teaching and coaching profession and has brought the two together dealing with student athletes. Prior research shows different views on the role of athletics in education and I would like to have a unique perspective on how different coaches use athletics to motivate student achievement in the classroom. In other words, what works best and what doesn’t. I hope to learn from this research things that can help our student athletes, parents, and other schools in our county to make the best out of the opportunity they are presented with.
Setting: The setting of this research will be at TL High School in Western North Carolina. The research will be focused on the students at TL High School. The research will focus on 12 sports that take place during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Within those 12 sports there are 18 teams that play between the varsity and junior varsity levels. There are approximately 285 students on these teams. I will take 4 student athletes and observe both the classroom participation and the after school activities. The current enrollment in the school is 661.
Participants: The participants will be students, teachers, staff, principals, parents, booster club members, and community volunteers. As Stringer pointed out, I will focus on people who actually live the experience. I will interview both athletes and non athletes at TL High School. I plan to interview the two varsity coaches and gather their input on the pros and cons of athletics and education. I will also interview at least four student athletes from the school. Furthermore, interviews will also be taken from the Principal, Athletic Director, four non student athletes, booster club president, and community volunteers. The participants at TL High School will be the most used source of research. I will also make sure to do as Stringer says and have credibility. I want to make sure that the participants are involved in athletics and education process. Each participant will be treated fairly and with the utmost respect for their opinions. I also would like to try to figure out some ways to help those who struggle with their academics while also playing athletics. What things could educators do to help those student athletes. Hopefully all will go well and I will find some good, helpful information.
Scott Harrill
Comments (6)
Scott;
Great topic; years ago I think I had read that involvement in athletics enhanced academic success in high school students (hope that comment doesn't taint your study). I was coaching at the time, though, so maybe it was just helpful propaganda. You have identified many good participants, so the data collection should be very strong.
Posted by Conrad Martin | January 31, 2009 7:33 PM
Posted on January 31, 2009 19:33
Scott,
I think Athletics for the most part has a very positive affect on student athletes. It gives them a great number of skills that the can use in the classroom such as leadership, perseverance, dedication just to name a few. I really will enjoy watching this develop. Good Luck
Scott Heavner
Posted by Scott Heavner | February 1, 2009 9:09 PM
Posted on February 1, 2009 21:09
Being a former high school athlete leads me to believe athletics has a positive influence on most students. I will however like to read what your research shows. You seem to have a lot of participants or is that just the group you are going to use for selection?
Posted by Shannon Mosteller | February 2, 2009 11:11 AM
Posted on February 2, 2009 11:11
Scott,
I am very interested in your topic. As a student-athlete myself, I have seen both sides of the question you are asking. I know some students who only stayed in school because of athletics. I also know of some students who let athletics become more important than their education, which led to them being removed from the team because of grades. I would love to see how teachers perceive athletics vs. the students. I hope you didn't pick too many participants, which is a mistake I made!
Posted by Matt Maurer | February 2, 2009 9:36 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 21:36
Scott,
For your research question, only use the second one. It's repetitive of the first question, but in a more focused way, without being too limiting, which is what you want.
You have too many participants, though! You'll still be collecting data long after the course is over. :) So, you need to focus. Remember that you only have 4 weeks to collect data. Maybe choose 3 or 4 athletes (mixing the gender), and 2 coaches. This is an exploratory study, so think big, but keep it small (if that makes sense).
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 3, 2009 10:16 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 22:16
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!...
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