Examining the Self-Efficacy of Students Working with Diverse Populations
Presentation Type
Rapid Research Proposal
Abstract
Background: Students majoring in Exercise Science and Kinesiology at the University of Southern Indiana are required to enroll in a course working with diverse populations. A component of the course is a service-learning project, and the goal of the project is to allow students to interact with diverse populations. Having a high self-efficacy when working with this population is necessary because the Self-Efficacy Theory and its constructs state when an individual's self-efficacy is increased the individual will be more likely to want to do a task and produce quality results. Purpose: The aim of this study will be to observe if there is a significant change in the students’ attitudes toward diverse populations after interacting with and prescribing exercise programs during three sessions. Methods: The Fall 2024 section of the course, which has 26 students, will complete an anonymous survey prior to starting the service-learning project and after completion. The Measurement of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons Scale A was chosen because it is widely accepted and uses positive language. Expected Outcomes: The expected outcome is for self-efficacy to significantly increase after the service-learning component of the course because the students will have had three sessions to directly work with diverse populations.
Examining the Self-Efficacy of Students Working with Diverse Populations
Background: Students majoring in Exercise Science and Kinesiology at the University of Southern Indiana are required to enroll in a course working with diverse populations. A component of the course is a service-learning project, and the goal of the project is to allow students to interact with diverse populations. Having a high self-efficacy when working with this population is necessary because the Self-Efficacy Theory and its constructs state when an individual's self-efficacy is increased the individual will be more likely to want to do a task and produce quality results. Purpose: The aim of this study will be to observe if there is a significant change in the students’ attitudes toward diverse populations after interacting with and prescribing exercise programs during three sessions. Methods: The Fall 2024 section of the course, which has 26 students, will complete an anonymous survey prior to starting the service-learning project and after completion. The Measurement of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons Scale A was chosen because it is widely accepted and uses positive language. Expected Outcomes: The expected outcome is for self-efficacy to significantly increase after the service-learning component of the course because the students will have had three sessions to directly work with diverse populations.