PEDAGOGICAL BELIEFS ABOUT ELEMENTARY HEALTH-EDUCATION - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY OF PRESERVICE TEACHERS

The study represents an initial exploration of preservice classroom teacher values and beliefs about health and health instruction. Subjects were divided into high and low health value groups using the adapted Rokeach Value Survey. Data from biographical questionnaires and formal interviews were collected and analyzed using qualitative techniques. Findings indicated certain commonalities in health values and beliefs regarding the relative importance of specific content areas. However, certain interview data related to health content and health instruction suggested that preservice teachers who place a high value on health have a more clearly defined concept of health content and its pedagogical implications.