TEACHING-LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN INITIAL UNIVERSITY TRAINING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of university Physical Education students at different progression levels in the programs regarding the teaching-learning environment in the initial training. In total, 273 students (Bachelor's program n = 150; Licentiate program n = 123) from the Licentiate Program in Physical Education of a public university in Santa Catarina, Brazil, participated in this study, responding to the adapted version of the Assessment Questionnaire of the Perceived Environment in the Initial Training in Physical Education. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the associations between the student progression levels in the programs and their perceptions about the initial training environment. The results indicated the predominance of practical classes/experiences and written theoretical evaluations, especially in the initial phases. The infrequent observation experiences and learning through practice or observation were the assumed roles, made evident primarily in the final semesters. Although the students perceived themselves as active regarding their participation levels, they indicated that the professors are the ones responsible for making the decisions. It is concluded that the initial training in Physical Education requires reconfiguring certain teaching-learning practices to increase student involvement and responsibility for their own training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]