Improving Students’ Motivation for Physical Activity Using Digital Media: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Physical Education Using Smartphones and Tablets

Juliane Mackenbrock; Angeli Gawlik; Fabian Pels; Jens Kleinert

doi:10.3991/ijim.v19i04.51969

Authors

Juliane Mackenbrock German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3704-1223
Angeli Gawlik German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-6785
Fabian Pels German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5134-5151
Jens Kleinert German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7793-1274

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v19i04.51969

Keywords:

self-determination theory, basic psychological needs, behavioral regulation, smartphones, tablets, students, mobile technology

Abstract

Based on the potential of digital media (DM) to increase students’ motivation in physical education (PE), this study investigated the effects of a theory-based tablet and smartphone intervention on students’ motivation in PE. A total of 309 students (8th and 9th grade) participated over five weeks. The intervention group (n = 161) carried out DM-supported PE lessons. Basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) and behavioral regulation were assessed. Results show no significant differences between groups on BPNS and behavioral regulation. However, BPNS moderated behavioral regulation regardless of the group. The non-significant results on BPNS and behavioral regulation show that the intervention did not lead to a significant improvement in motivation, which may be due to too little autonomy support, too little attractive content, and too little fun for the students. Future studies should investigate students’ preferences for DM in PE and use these findings to develop interventions to support BPNS in PE.

Author Biographies

Juliane Mackenbrock, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Juliane Mackenbrock (JM) is research assistant and PhD student at the Institute of Psychology (Section Health & Social Psychology) at the German Sport University of Cologne. Her research interests on activity promotion in children and adolescents with a special focus on the use of digital media and motivational aspects in physical education. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3704-1223

Angeli Gawlik, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Angeli Gawlik (AG) is sports scientist, lecturer and postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Psychology (Section Health & Social Psychology) at the German Sport University of Cologne. Her main areas of research and teaching are motivation, behavior change and health coaching. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-6785

Fabian Pels, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Fabian Pels (FP) Ph.D., is a researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Psychology (Section Health & Social Psychology) at the German Sport University of Cologne. His research focus is on stress and group dynamics. He is in charge of related research projects mainly in the contexts of physical education, sport and exercise. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5134-5151

Jens Kleinert, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Jens Kleinert (JK) is professor of sport psychology and social psychology and head of the section of health and social psychology at the Institute of Psychology at the German Sport University of Cologne. His main areas of research and teaching are motivation, emotion, stress and group dynamics. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7793-1274