Measuring cognitive engagement in physical education: scale development and validation

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Physical Education Research
• Measurement and Evaluation

Background:

• Cognitive engagement is crucial for quality physical education and student outcomes.
• Existing assessment tools lack specificity, accuracy, and practical application.
• The ICAP framework provides a basis for understanding cognitive engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Cognitive Engagement in Physical Education Scale (CEPE).
• To create a contextually specific and accurate measurement tool for Chinese middle school students.
• To enhance the evaluation of physical education teaching and inform instructional interventions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and classroom observations informed initial scale development.
• A reliability and validity test was conducted with 855 middle school students.
• Factor analysis and various validity/reliability tests were employed.

Main Results:

• The final 14-item CEPE has four dimensions: observation/execution, cognitive processing, self-regulation, and collaborative innovation.
• The four-factor model demonstrated acceptable fit, with strong reliability and validity evidence.
• CEPE scores positively correlated with physical education learning self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The CEPE is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing cognitive engagement in physical education.
• This scale can serve as a valuable tool for classroom evaluation and instructional improvement.
• The CEPE contributes to a better understanding of cognitive engagement within the Chinese middle school context.