Research on Students' Learning Experience in the Athletic Classes of Senior High School

[[abstract]]The purpose of this research mainly focuses on the studying of the athletic class students’ schoolwork, training and career development experience under the pressure of being both “athlete” and “student” throughout their studies by process approach to understand their meanings and values of the scenarios. The aim of this study is to discuss the learning experience of the students with different expertise in sports of the athletic class of a senior high school in Taipei through qualitative interview and data analysis. The finding shows that: 1. With regard to the learning experience: students highly appreciate the academic teachers for providing appropriate leaning contents and their encouraging and supportive teaching attitude. In terms of course planning, it is hoped that the class hour of the main subjects (Chinese, English, Math) can be increased; for the after school program, it is hoped that the number of summer after school program can be increased. Indeed, they hope the school can set up rules to allow the after school program fitting the training schedule of each sport team. 2. In terms of expertise training experience: most students believe in the coach’s expertise and think the coach making requirement on their learning effect, schoolwork and life education. These painful experiences turn out to be the most beautiful memory. It is believed that the overloaded training is the key to discover potential. When facing the selection between training and schoolwork, students usually focus on the expertise training. 3. With regard to the career development and planning: most students indicate that they did not receive full information regarding to the entrance of higher education during their studies in athletic class. Further, the teachers and students all believe that it is necessary to open the after school program for grade 12 physical education class students. They also indicate that the coach is the person who has the most significant influence on the students. 4. In terms of life experience and feeling, the research participants agree with the campus lodging assisting them in developing independent characters and improving the team spiritual and communication ability. At the end, the coach and team members all become family. 5. While the students thinking about the impact of the physical education class experience on them, most of the students indicate that they all obtain valuable experience which can’t be received elsewhere regardless whether they have achieved the initial goal during their senior high school years. On top of that, they understand better about their capability and constraint and know the variety of sport opportunities.