Learning Social Justice in Physical Education through Visual Case Studies

This resource is designed to support teacher educators in facilitating meaningful discussions about social justice with pre-service teachers through a structured, inquiry-based approach. The visuals are intended to act as catalysts for dialogue rather than provide predetermined answers, encouraging participants to question assumptions, consider multiple perspectives, and collaboratively develop responses to authentic (real based) professional dilemmas.

For the best learning experience, the resource should be used sequentially. Begin with the green-background “Setting the Scene visuals” to establish a shared understanding of key concepts, such as isms, privilege and intersectionality. Next, use the blue-background “Self-Reflection visuals” to prompt learners to critically examine their own identities, values, experiences, and potential biases before engaging with complex classroom situations. Finally, introduce the yellow-background “Case Studies visuals”, where small groups analyse authentic scenarios from Irish Physical Education, discuss the accompanying prompts, and consider possible courses of action. These discussions should be followed by a facilitated whole-group debrief in which participants compare perspectives, justify their decisions, and reflect on the implications of different responses for socially just teaching practice.

Each visual includes a QR code that links to an specific site of the project website where users can access the theoretical background and the complete case study. In the website they can also find additional background information, guiding questions, and related resources created by pre-service teachers.

Although the case studies are situated within the Irish Physical Education context, the visual format and pedagogical structure can also serve as a template for teacher educators wishing to design their own context-specific scenarios and discussion prompts. The resource is particularly well suited to university seminars, school placement preparation or professional learning workshops, that aim to bridge theory and practice through collaborative dialogue and critical reflection.