First day of class activities to promote interaction and engage students in a management subject of a university Physical Education program: a case study

Introduction: This study analyzes the perceptions of students in a university physical education program after participating in a first-day activity designed to introduce a management course and encourage their engagement. Additionally, students were asked about their preferences and dislikes regarding first-session activities to enhance engagement from the beginning of the course. Methodology: The research was conducted over two academic years and included two strategies: the reciprocal interview activity and a survey on activity preferences for the first session. The session design was based on previous experiences and studies highlighting the importance of early classroom interaction. After the session, students responded to open-ended questions about their experience, particularly regarding the reciprocal interview activity. Results: The analysis of student responses led to the creation of a list of activity preferences and an evaluation of their perceptions of the reciprocal interview activity. The results showed a positive assessment of the activity, emphasizing its role in fostering interaction and active participation in the course. Conclusions: The designed session helped identify key elements valued by students and proved effective in promoting engagement. These findings can contribute to the redesign of the course program, optimizing teaching strategies for future editions.