Amaël André

Cooperative Learning in Physical Education and Acceptance of Students with Learning Disabilities

This study examined the effect of cooperative learning on the acceptance of mainstream students with academic learning disabilities in physical education and the links between their athletic abilities and the acceptance by their regular counterparts. Eight sixth grade classes (M age = 11.8 years) practiced either in a cooperative learning structure (n = 105) or individual structure (n = 112). The sociometric rating scale technique (Frederickson & Furnham, 1998) was employed to assess acceptance. Results showed that cooperative learning positively influenced the acceptance of the disabled mainstream students by their peers; however, the disabled mainstream students’ athletic abilities were related to acceptance only in the individual structure.

Cooperative group, risk‐taking and inclusion of pupils with learning disabilities in physical education

The aim of this research was to study the impact of risk-taking in gymnastics on the change of cooperative behaviours and acceptance of pupils with learning disabilities within the framework of cooperative learning. One hundred and sixty-eight French 1st year middle school pupils participated in this study. Thirty-six pupils with learning disabilities were mainstreamed in six ordinary classes during seven two-hour gymnastic lessons. Three classes practiced under low risk conditions and three classes performed under high perceived risk conditions. The helping behaviours of the SEGPA pupils were observed and the acceptance of pupils was measured thanks to a sociometric questionnaire during the first and last lessons. The results showed that risk-taking affected the helping behaviours and the acceptance of pupils with learning disabilities. These results lead to think about the factors that could have an impact on the influence of cooperative learning structures when mainstreaming pupils with learning disabilities in physical education.