Development of the BiboAktibo Manual: Making Exercise a Rewarding Experience for the MAPEH Learners

Abstract

The use of exercise as punishment in educational settings can harm students’ physical health, emotional well-being, and attitudes toward fitness, creating negative feelings about exercise, reducing motivation, and causing a long-term aversion to physical activity. To address these issues, the study developed a manual titled BiboAktibo: Making Exercise a Rewarding Experience, designed to help Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) teachers incorporate reward-based strategies based on the Exercise as a Reward (EAR) approach. Guided by the ADDIE instructional design model and rooted in behaviorist learning theory, the research used a qualitative descriptive design. Data were gathered from nine purposively selected participants: three MAPEH teachers for needs analysis, three subject matter experts for review, and three teacher-implementers for feedback after classroom use. The findings highlighted ongoing challenges in PE instruction, including inadequate facilities, limited time, and student disengagement. The BiboAktibo Manual offers practical, cost-effective, and developmentally appropriate strategies that enhance student motivation and participation. Expert reviewers confirmed its pedagogical value but recommended revisions to improve safety, structure, and age appropriateness. Teachers reported that the manual fostered a more inclusive, engaging, and student-centered PE environment. Overall, incorporating EAR-based strategies through the BiboAktibo Manual presents a feasible and ethical alternative to punitive practices in PE. The study encourages broader adoption of the manual and advocates for future research to assess its long-term impact and potential for scaling across various educational settings.