ARTICLE TYPE : CASE REPORT
Published on : 01 Oct 2026,
Volume - 2
Journal Title :
WebLog Journal of Environmental Sciences
| WebLog J Environ Sci
| WJETS
Source URL:
https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjets.2026.j0103
Permanent Identifier (DOI) :
Teaching Student Athletes: Reflections from a Biology and Science Teaching Practicum in a State Sports Secondary School
2Centre for Foundation Studies in Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
3Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seksyen 11 (SSN Selangor), Persiaran Kayangan, Seksyen 11, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Abstract
Teaching practicum provides pre-service teachers with authentic opportunities to apply pedagogical knowledge and adapt to the characteristics of particular educational settings. State sports secondary schools are distinctive because academic learning is integrated with intensive athletic training and broader student development. Teachers in these schools must balance curriculum requirements with the academic, physical, and psychological needs of student-athletes whose participation may be affected by training schedules, competitions, and travel. This reflective commentary examines a Biology and Science teaching practicum conducted from 30 March to 31 July 2026 at a state sports secondary school in Selangor, Malaysia. It considers how the placement contributed to the development of flexible pedagogy, adaptive classroom management, and an emerging professional identity. The account draws on classroom teaching, co-curricular programmes, school activities, mentoring, and professional collaboration. Four interrelated themes emerged: responsive science teaching, the integration of academic and athletic development, professional learning through school engagement, and identity formation through reflection. The experience showed that teaching student-athletes requires academic rigour together with adaptability, creativity, empathy, and sustained reflection. It also illustrates the value of specialised placements in preparing future teachers to respond thoughtfully to diverse learners and changing educational circumstances.
Keywords: Teaching Practicum; Biology Education; Science Education; Sports School; Student Athletes; Reflective Practice
Citation
Yap CK, Insyirah Mohamad Yusniza FN, Saleh Hodin NA, Shafiee S, Zulkifly S, ShikhMaidin M. Teaching Student Athletes: Reflections from a Biology and Science Teaching Practicum in a State Sports Secondary School. WebLog J Environ Sci. wjets.2026.j0103. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23301327