My PE, My Story: The Use of Vignettes to Understand Student Experiences of Pedagogical Innovation in PE

Abstract

Our study explores how middle school students experience pedagogical innovation in Physical Education (PE) through the implementation of the Meaningful Physical Education (Meaningful PE) framework. Using a case study design, students participated in eight units throughout the school year that explicitly prioritized meaningful experiences. Data from interviews, reflections, and journals were represented as portrait vignettes that were co-constructed with each student to capture authentic, individualized experiences. This approach highlights students’ voices and the evolving meaning they attribute to physical education over time. Findings aim to inform educators’ practice and advance research on meaningfulness and student engagement in physical education.