Quality of Teaching in Physical Education (QualiTePE)
Teaching quality as the key factor for student success in physical education

This research project investigates the various understandings of high-quality physical education (Quality of Teaching in Physical Education) in ten European countries. The overall objective is the development of a common QualiTePE conceptual framework that defines core criteria of effective teaching in physical education as well as a digital QualiTePE evaluation tool that facilitates practice-based evaluation of teaching quality. To implement the framework and tool, QualiTePE resources are designed to further professionalise physical education teacher training programmes at higher education institutions.

Teaching quality has a clear impact on student success, but how can good teaching be defined? The pan-European QualiTePe research project aims to answer this question specifically for physical education. In order to systematically assess teaching and learning processes, it is necessary to determine what characterises good teaching. Numerous international empirical studies of the past two decades have consolidated teaching quality criteria into three generic dimensions: (1) classroom management that is clear, well-structured and designed to prevent disruptions; (2) a socio-emotional climate that promotes supportive, student-centred lessons; and (3) the potential for cognitive activation. These three dimensions form an empirical model of interdisciplinary pedagogical principles.

The first project phase explores the extent to which these pedagogical principles also apply to physical education lessons and how experts from various European countries understand what constitutes good teaching in the subject of physical education. These findings provide the basis for the QualiTePE conceptual framework.

In the next phase, the conceptual framework is used to develop the digital QualiTePE evaluation tool for teaching practice. The tool is intended for use in teacher training and professional development to enable criteria-based observation and assessment of the quality of physical education lessons.

The long-term introduction of the QualiTePE conceptual framework and evaluation tool into teacher training and professional development programmes is the focus of the third phase, in which QualiTePE resources (including handouts, presentations, video examples) are developed. These resources support instructors at higher education institutions in imparting the theoretical content of the framework to future teachers and in equipping them with the ability to put this knowledge into practice. The project thus makes a substantial contribution to enhancing teaching quality in physical education in Europe.

These objectives form the basis for the project’s three main questions:

1. How can dimensions and criteria of high-quality physical education be structured in a conceptual framework that is accepted throughout the whole of Europe?
2. How can quality criteria of effective physical education be digitally evaluated in teaching practice?
3. How can the QualiTePE conceptual framework and the QualiTePE evaluation tool be implemented in teacher training programmes in Europe?

Eleven partner organisations are collaborating in the project, which receives Erasmus+ funding; the various research partners focus on different aspects over the course of the project (January 2022 to June 2024). The University of Hamburg (UHH) is responsible for developing the theoretical and methodological QualiTePE framework. In this context, it conducts a cross-cultural Delphi study aimed at achieving international consensus on the dimensions and characteristics of teaching quality in PE. Through this work, the UHH project team contributes a core element to the research project. 

Open dialogue and collaboration among the European partners strengthens Hamburg’s standing as a place of research, thus generating an impact that extends beyond this project.

 

Contact

Lead

Prof. Dr. Erin Gerlach erin.gerlach@uni-hamburg.de

Coordination

Dr. Wiebke Langer wiebke.langer@uni-hamburg.de

 

Phase

finished

Period

1/1/2022–30/6/2024

 

Participating Institutions

Principal Investigator

Université du Luxembourg (Luxembourg, PI)

Universität Hamburg (Germany, PI)

Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich (Switzerland, PI)

 

Project Partners:

European Physical Education Association (Luxembourg)

Masarykova Univerzita (Czech Republic)

National University of Ireland, Cork (Ireland)

Université de Strasbourg (France)

Stichting Fontys (Netherland)

Univerza V Ljubliani (Slovenia)

Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)

Goeteborgs Universitet (Sweden)

 

Associated Partners:

CEREPS partners (Conseil Européen de la Recherche en Éducation Physique et Sportive – The European Council of Research in Physical Education and School Sport):

Pädagogische Hochschule Salzburg (Austria)

Universität Wien (Austria)

Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (Germany)

University of Jyväskylää (Finland)

Université de Lille (France)

Tranva University (Slovakia)

Universität Basel (Switzerland)

Projektergebnisse 

QualiTePE Homepage            http://www.qualitepe.info
QualiTePE Evaluation Tool    https://qualitepe.phzh.ch (Betrieb eingestellt)

Scale documentation QualiTePE-Instrument in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Slovenian, Czech and Greek           https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11911262
Technical Manual in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Slovenian, Czech and Greek                            https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12514452
Handbuch und Leitfaden für die Anwendung des QualiTePE-Rahmenkonzepts und -Instruments https://zenodo.org/records/13358776
Handbook and Guidance Material for the Implementation of the QualiTePE Framework and Instrument https://zenodo.org/records/13772862
DE (also available in FRA, SLO, NETH, SWE, SPA, CZ)

YouTube links to QualiTePE Playlists:
QualiTePE Tutorials – German https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLARIMyIVxZXMXLisj8W-jKi9UqselJFyn&feature=shared
QualiTePE Tutorials – English https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLARIMyIVxZXPLdfpq84x7unQpH_45wUMi&feature=shared
(also available in FRA, SLO, NETH, SWE) 

 Publications

Journal articles

• Crapa, A., Hermann, C., Langer, W., Adamakis, M., Borghouts, L., Cools, W., Costa, J., Janíková, M., Jurak, G., Kress, J., Lefèvre, L., Lemling, A., Lundvall, S., O'Brien, W., Ries, F., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C., Sember, V., Slingerland, M. & Gerlach, E. (2024). Technical manual and Information on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) QualiTePE digital web-based evaluation tool, QualiTePE-Tool. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12514452
• Crapa, A., Langer, W. & Herrmann, C. (eingereicht). Unterrichtsqualität im Sportunterricht sichtbar machen: Das digitale QualiTePE-Evaluationstool. [manuscript submitted for publication].
• Egerer*, M., Langer*, W., Niehues*, M., Heim C., Sallen, J., Schole, L., Vlček, P. & Gerlach, E. (2026). Ein Angebots-Nutzungs-Modell für den Schulsport (ANuMoS-Schulsport) [manuscript under revision]
• Herrmann, C., Crapa, A., Langer, W., Adamakis, M., Borghouts, L., Cools, W., Costa, J., Janíková, M., Jurak, G., Kohake, K., Kress, J., Lefèvre, L., Lemling, A., Lundvall, S., Masarykova, D., O'Brien, W., Ries, F., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C. & Gerlach, E. (2024). The QualiTePE instrument to evaluate Quality of Teaching in Physical Education: Documentation of Items and Scales in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Slovenian, Czech and Greek. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11911262
• Langer, W., Lemling, A. & Gerlach, E. (eingereicht). Unterrichtsqualität im Fach Sport kriteriengeleitet erschließen: Zur Anwendung des QualiTePE-Instruments in der unterrichtsnahen Sportlehrkräftebildung. [Manuskript zur Publikation eingereicht].
• Langer, W., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C., Lefèvre, L., Bailey, R. & Gerlach, E., (in prep.). Quality in Physical Education: A European Delphi Study. [manuscript in preparation].
• Schnitzler, C., Langer, W., Gerlach, E., Herrmann, C., Crapa, A., Trio, C., Lefèvre, L. (2025). Vers un consensus européen sur les critères d’une EPS de qualité: résultats du projet QualiTePE pour la France. Movement & Sport Sciences - Science & Motricité (MSS-SM). https://hal.science/hal-05305069v1
• Slingerland, M., Borghouts, L.B., Gerlach, E., Langer, W., Herrmann, C., Crapa, A., & Lemling, A. (2024). QualiTePe - Een Europees kwaliteitskader voor lesgeven binnen LO. LO Magazine, 112, 14–17.

Conference papers

• Crapa, A., Kohake, K., Langer, W. & Seyda, M. (2025). Von der Unterrichtsqualität(sforschung) zur Unterrichtsentwicklung – Impulse für das Lehramtsstudium. In Krapf, A., Tiemann, H., Wendeborn, T. (2025). Entwicklung-Forschung-Transfer. 38. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportpädagogik vom 01.-03. Mai 2025, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig.
• Crapa, A., Langer, W., Gerlach, E., Borghouts, L., Slingerland, M. & Herrmann, C. (2024). Formative Evaluation der Unterrichtsqualität im Sportunterricht - Entwicklung des digitalen QualiTePE-Evaluationsinstruments. In Gebken, U., Pfitzner, M., Wiesche, D. (2024). Grenzen und Entgrenzungen sportpädagogischen Handelns. 37. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportpädagogik vom 30. Mai-01. Juni 2024, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen (S. 62).
• Langer, W. (2023). QualiTePE – What Role Do Need Supportive Behaviors Play in a Cross-Cultural Consensus Study on Quality in PE Teaching in Europe? In Center for Self-Determination Theory (2023). 8th International Self-Determination Theory Conference, 31st May – 3rd June 2023, Orlando, FL, USA (p. 87).
• Langer, W. & Crapa, A. (2024). Quality in Teaching Physical Education (QualiTePE) – Entwicklung und Operationalisierung eines Frameworks der Unterrichtsqualität im Sport. In Gebken, U., Pfitzner, M., Wiesche, D. (2024). Grenzen und Entgrenzungen sportpädagogischen Handelns. 37. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportpädagogik vom 30. Mai-01. Juni 2024, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen (S. 60-61).
• Langer, W., Crapa, A., Herrmann, C., Gerlach, E. (2023). Was macht Unterrichtsqualität im Fach Sport aus? Deutschland und die Schweiz im Spiegel der Ergebnisse einer europäischen Delphi-Studie. In Schlesinger, T., Grimminger-Seidensticker, E., Ferrauti, A., Kellmann, M., Thiel, C. & Kullik, L. (2023). Leistung steuern. Gesundheit stärken. Entwicklung fördern. 26. dvs-Hochschultag vom 20.-22. September 2023, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum (S. 236).
• Langer, W., Crapa, A., Herrmann, C., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C., Lefèvre, L., Bailey, R. & Gerlach, E. (2024). Conceptualizing and Operationalizing the Quality of Teaching in PE: A Cross Cultural Delphi Expert Consensus Study. In Sääkslahti, A., et al. (2024). AIESEP International Conference, 13-17 May 2024, Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
• Langer, W., Crapa, A., Herrmann, C., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C., Lefèvre, L., Bailey, R. & Gerlach, E. (2024). Quality of Teaching PE in Europe: Developing a subject-specific framework based on a cross-cultural consensus study. In Charalambous, C., Charalambous, E., Praetorius, A., Faddar, J. & Bijlsma, H. (2024). Promoting Educational Quality: The Contribution of Educational Effectiveness and Improvement Research. 9th biannual conference of EARLI SIG 18 on Educational Effectiveness, 23-25 August 2024, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus (p. 19).
• Langer, W., Dyson, B., Lee, Y., Gerlach, E. (2024). Quality in Physical Education – US and European Perspectives. In Sääkslahti, A., et al. (2024). AIESEP International Conference, 13-17 May 2024, Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
• Langer, W., Gerlach, E. (2023). Dimensionen von Unterrichtsqualität im Fach Sport - eine europäische Delphi-Studie. In Langer, W., Bähr, I., Gerlach, E., Krieger, C. & Walter, M. (2023). Sportpädagogik – der Sitzplatz zwischen den Stühlen?! 36. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportpädagogik vom 08.-10. Juni 2023, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg (S. 93).
• Langer, W., Gerlach, E., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C. (2023). QualiTePE – A Cross-Cultural Consensus Study on Quality in PE Teaching in Europe. In AIESEP (Ed.), International Conference, 04-07 July 2023, Santiago de Chile, Santiago.
• Langer, W., Gerlach, E., Scheuer, C., Schnitzler, C., Lefèvre, L. & Bailey, R. (2022). The QualiTePE framework concept: A cross-cultural study to build consensus on quality in physical education teaching. In M. Adamakis & C. Scheuer (Ed.), 4th CIAPSE Congress, 07­-09 September 2022, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg (S. 80).
• Langer, W., Niehues, M., Schole, L., Egerer, M., Sallen, J., Heim, C., Vlček. P. & Gerlach, E. (2024). Entwicklung eines Angebots-Nutzungs-Modells der Wirkweise des Unterrichts im Fach Sport. In Gebken, U., Pfitzner, M., Wiesche, D. (2024). Grenzen und Entgrenzungen sportpädagogischen Handelns. 37. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportpädagogik vom 30. Mai-01. Juni 2024, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen (S. 58-59).
• Lemling, A., Langer, W., Crapa, A., Herrmann, C., Cools, W., Adamakis, M., Slingerland, M., Borghouts, L., Costa, J. O´Brien, W., Kohake, K. & Gerlach, E. (2024). Handbuch und Leitfaden für die Anwendung des QualiTePE-Rahmenkonzepts und -Instruments. Egerer, M., Langer, W., Niehues, M., Heim., C. Sallen, J., Schole, L., Vlček, P. & Gerlach, E. (2025). Development of an Offer-Use-Model for the Effectiveness in Physical Education and School Sports. In Flory, S., et al. (2025). AIESEP International Conference, 18-22 May 2025, St Petersburg: University of South Florida, USA.
• Lindl, A. & Langer, W. (2025). Identifikation und Genese fachspezifischer Merkmale und Modelle von Unterrichtsqualität – zwei Forschungsansätze im Vergleich. In Dickhäuser A., et al. (2025). Bildung zwischen Unsicherheit und Evidenz. 12. GEBF-Tagung vom 27.-29.01.2025, Universität Mannheim, Mannheim (S. 756).

Funding Institutions

UHH, Erasmus+ 2021-1-LU01-KA220-HED-000032228 (335,388 €)