Desirable Characteristics of Physical Education Teachers Based on the Social Engineer Concept: An Exploratory Factor Analysis from the Perspective of Physical Education Students at Northern Rajabhat Universities

Abstract

This article aimed to study (1) the importance and components of desirable characteristics of physical education teachers based on the social engineer concept in northern Rajabhat universities; (2) to analyze the exploratory factor analysis of desirable characteristics of physical education teachers based on the social engineer concept from the perspectives of physical education students in northern Rajabhat universities. The mixed-methods research was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved qualitative research studying and synthesizing the importance and components of desirable characteristics through interviews with 10 key informants using a semi-structured interview form. Phase 2 involved quantitative research analyzing the exploratory factor analysis of desirable characteristics. The sample consisted of 760 undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Education program in northern Rajabhat universities. They were selected by stratified random sampling. The instruments for collecting data were a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation. The research results were found as follows; 1) The desirable characteristics of physical education teachers based on the social engineer concept comprised six aspects: (1) solving social problems and risky behaviors in youth, (2) changing learners' behaviors in positive ways, (3) promoting physical and mental health, emotional control, and community relationships, (4) solving community problems through the power of sports and creative activities, (5) being good role models for students and communities, and (6) sustainable community development. The components of desirable characteristics included four dimensions: (1) systems thinking, (2) communication skills, (3) teamwork, and (4) ethics. 2) The exploratory factor analysis of desirable characteristics of physical education teachers based on the social engineer concept yielded four components: (1) professional ethics and collaborative working skills in society, (2) communication and knowledge transfer skills in physical education, (3) systems thinking skills for planning and developing physical education instruction, and (4) innovation skills for social change. Each component had an eigenvalue greater than 1, and all components explained a total variance of 73.62 percent.