In-service training for Physical Education teachers in compulsory secondary education: characteristics and design

In-service training is a fundamental element in the continuing professional development of teachers. The purpose of this research is to determine what characteristics in-service training should have, according to Physical Education teachers at the compulsory secondary level in Andalusia. The research design used was an embedded case study, in which semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the sample (n = 20). Content analysis was used to analyse the data using Atlas.ti v.8.4 software. The results show that Physical Education teachers diagnose the current design of the training courses offered by the Teacher Training Centres (CEP) as an obstacle, stating that they do not respond to the specific difficulties of the subject. Finally, it is pointed out that the in-service training offered by the teacher training centres does not meet the needs of teachers, while their participation in these activities does not provide a real incentive for the profession. There is a need to increase the supply of training in this area, to make it more applicable and specific, and to make teaching experience the basis for the design of training activities.