Implementing Oblomov methodology in primary schools: opinions and feelings of Belgian PE teachers

In Belgium, only 2% of adolescents aged 10 to 17 reach physical activity (PA) international recommendations (Wijtzes and al., 2016). Motivating young people to practice PA becomes a priority (Unesco, 2017). Therefore, new pedagogical approaches seem essential. An Erasmus+ program has been designed in that perspective. It proposes an innovative pedagogical approach that combines physical activity and theatre: the Oblomov (Obesity and Low Motility Victims) project (see https://www.oblomovproject.eu/). Nevertheless, for teachers, adopting an innovation can represent a challenge. In this paper, we will analyze the evolution of the reactions of a group of physical education (PE) teachers who agreed to test the experimental approach.

Five PE teachers working in primary schools of the region of Liege (Belgium) participated to a 2 days training designed to explain the principles of the Oblomov method and to let them acquiring fundamental skills related to the use of open scenario techniques (dramatization). In parallel, respecting a collaborative approach, the participants were invited to validate the content and organization proposed by the researchers. After modification of the initial project, they taught a 10 lessons unit to eight classes (5th and 6th grades). Questionnaires and/or interviews were proposed before (T0) and after (T1) the training session, before (T2) and after (T3) the unit. Moreover, during the unit, after each lesson, teachers sent audio reports. A content analysis has been processed.

Preliminary results exposed, at the beginning of the study, that PE teachers were not enthusiastic about the new pedagogic approach. The majority thought, indeed, that it was too childish for their pupils. However, at the end of the cycle, teachers were relatively positive about the Oblomov methodology. Further data will help to better understand the positive and negative aspects, as well as the impacts put forward by the PE teachers.