The effect of eight-week folk dance training on communication skills and problem solving in physical education and sports teacher candidates

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of eight-week folk dance training on communication skills and problem-solving skills of physical education and sports teacher candidates. The study group of our research consists of a total of 40 students, 20 women and 20 men, who studies at Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports and have not received folk dance training before, Personal information form, communication and problem-solving skill scales were used as data collection tools in the research. The data obtained was made using the package program SPSS 22.00 (Statistic for Windows). Repeated Measures Anova test statistic, which is used in repeated measurements, was used to compare the pre-test, mid-test and post-test data within the control and experimental groups. As a result, no significant difference was detected in the pre- and post-test scores of the total communication skills scale and the mental, emotional, and behavioral communication sub-dimensions of the scale in the control and experimental groups. Although no significant difference was detected in the pre- and post-test scores of the total problem-solving skill scale and the hasty, thinking, avoidant, evaluative, self-confident, planned approach sub-dimensions of the scale in the control and experimental groups, an increase was detected in the planned, evaluative, and self-confident approach in the experimental group. As a result, according to the pre-intermediate-post test results of the control and experimental groups, no statistically significant difference was detected in the total and sub-dimensions of the communication and problem-solving skill scales. A positive increase was detected in the emotional and behavioral communication sub-dimensions of the communication skill scale and the planned, evaluative, and self-confident approach sub-dimensions of the problem-solving skill scale in the direction of the experimental group. It is thought that this situation stems from the fact that the diversity of folk-dance teaching models and staging formations in the sportive sense develops the ability of individuals to perceive and feel together and therefore to make joint decisions and act in order to minimize the possibility of making mistakes. Keywords: Physical Education and Sports, Problem solving, Communication, Skills