A PhD dissertation was discussed at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Baghdad by the candidate Ahmed Abbas Shalkam, titled “The Effect of Blended Learning on Perceptual Speed, Motor Anticipation, and the Learning of Setting and Serve Reception Skills in Volleyball Among Students.”
The examination committee consisted of:
Prof. Mustafa Salahuddin Aziz – Chair
Prof. Maher Abd Alilah Abdul Sattar – Member
Prof. Jinan Naji Zuwein – Member
Prof. Samer Abdulhadi Ahmed – Member
Prof. Asmaa Hikmat Fadel – Member
Prof. Riyadh Khalil Khmas – Member and Supervisor
Prof. Ghada Mueyed Shihab – Member and Supervisor
The significance of the research lies in the fact that volleyball is a sport characterized by numerous offensive and defensive skills. This becomes evident through the high physical and skill-based demands observed in matches. Students must learn, develop, and understand the psychological and scientific aspects of these skills, which calls for the continuous use of new methods and technologies to enhance performance precision and mastery of the game’s technical components.
The researcher concluded that all three instructional methods had an effect on improving perceptual speed, motor anticipation, and key volleyball skills (setting and serve reception). However, the blended learning approach using random practice scheduling proved most effective, followed by blended learning with serial practice scheduling, and lastly, the control group.
The study aimed to examine the impact of blended learning exercises using both sequential and random practice schedules on perceptual speed, motor anticipation, and the learning of setting and serve reception skills in volleyball for fifth-grade secondary school students. It also sought to identify which group (experimental or control) showed superior development in these variables.
This research contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 Quality Education and Goal 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by integrating innovative teaching strategies and modern learning techniques to improve cognitive and motor skill acquisition in physical education.
