"One Resource Kit for Teachers" Project

Summary

The "One Resource Kit for Teachers" project was initiated to promote values-based education through sports. The primary purpose of the project was to develop a toolkit for teachers that integrates values education into existing curricula worldwide. This toolkit aims to support teachers in delivering education that emphasizes values such as fairness, inclusion, and equity through sports and physical education. The project involved mapping global curriculum requirements for values education, developing the resource kit, and testing its effectiveness in schools across different countries. The ultimate goal was to enhance the educational experience by fostering a culture of integrity and fair play among students.

Methodology

The study was conducted as a school-based quasi-experimental research project, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the effectiveness of a teaching toolkit designed to promote values like fairness and inclusion through sports. The research took place in four schools in North-East Italy, involving 282 students from primary and middle school classrooms. The toolkit activities were implemented over a period of 10 weeks, with students participating in weekly 60-minute workshops. These activities were designed to be engaging and educational, using games and discussions to teach important values. The study aimed to assess improvements in prosocial behavior, empathy, and perceptions of a caring school environment.

Quantitative data were collected using standardized questionnaires, such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for prosocial behavior, the "How I Feel in Different Situations" questionnaire for empathy, and the School as a Caring Community Profile-II (SCCP-II) for school environment perceptions. These were administered before and after the intervention. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through open-ended questions to explore students' understanding of equity and teachers' feedback on the toolkit's usability and effectiveness. The data were analyzed to identify changes in students' behavior and attitudes, with a focus on gender and age differences.

Results

The study found positive correlations between the use of the toolkit and improvements in students' prosocial behavior and empathy. Middle school students showed significant increases in affective empathy and prosocial behaviors, particularly among girls. Primary school students also demonstrated improvements, with boys showing notable gains in prosocial behavior and respect. Teachers reported that the toolkit was feasible and useful for promoting prosocial behavior and values education, though they suggested that longer implementation periods could enhance its effectiveness.

Significance for Clean Sport

The project highlights the importance of integrating values-based education into school curricula to promote fair play and integrity in sports. By fostering prosocial behavior and empathy among young students, the toolkit contributes to creating a culture of clean sport from an early age. The findings suggest that such educational interventions can effectively support the development of ethical attitudes and behaviors, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity of sports. The project underscores the need for teacher training in values education to maximize the impact of such initiatives.