An exploration of the effects of using experiential approach to teach Olympic values of fair play to school children, A case study of selected pupils at Chalimbana Primary School in Chongwe District - Zambia

Abstract

The case study explores the effects of teaching fair play values using experiential approaches on pupil’s attitudes, behaviour, social and physical skills. The case study was a four (4) weeks teaching project with three (3) lessons per week targeting grade 8 pupils at Chalimbana Primary School in Chongwe district – Lusaka, zambia. The researcher assumed the role of a participant observer which enabled him to become immersed, impart knowledge and actively seek information to reveal the truth (Mutch, 2005) while ensuring the effective tracking of data through interviews and other strategies which were carefully conducted thus providing a platform for participant voice. The case study used an interpretive, constructivist paradigm where the views and observations generated by participants were used to interpret the social experiences of the learners. The case study adopted the qualitative mixed methodology research design which blended with quantitative data collection using a pre-post test questionnaire with follow-up interviews and, participant observations interpreted qualitatively through narration and coded themes. The research revealed that experiential teaching approaches were appropriate and could be adopted in Zambia to teach Olympic values of fair play. Experiential learning strategy is an inductive, learner centered and activity oriented approach were personalised reflections about an experience and the formulation of plans to apply to learning to other contexts are critical factors in effective experiential learning (Najeeb, 2011). The research demonstrated its effectiveness in changing pupils’ attitudes and behaviours towards fair play. The method proved to be effective, also, in teaching social skills of fair play. The research study concluded that the values of Olympic movement- in particular fair play- could be effectively introduced into the Zambian education system using experiential teaching approaches. The main recommendations of the study were: the introduction of Olympic education in the national curriculum, establishing of the National Olympic Academy to spearhead the Olympic education programs and the training of the human resource in Olympic education teaching methods.