Faculty Research Spotlight: Dr. David Barney
- Student Ambassadors
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Kamora Johnson
McKay Student Ambassador
Physical Education
Welcome to our series on Faculty Research! We are spotlighting professors from the McKay School in a series of blog posts. This time, we will be interviewing Dr. David Barney from the Physical Education Teaching & Coaching major!
All about Dr. David Barney:
Dr. Barney was born in Tempe, Arizona, and grew up in Layton, Utah, where he attended Layton High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Weber State University, his master’s degree from Utah State University, and his doctoral degree from Florida State University.
He began his teaching career at North Dakota State University, where he taught for five years, followed by five years at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Barney has taught at Brigham Young University for 15 years.
Dr. Barney is married to Torri (Bown) Barney and has two children. Their daughter, Kate, graduated from BYU in 2023 with degrees in Psychology and Portuguese. Their son, Sam, is currently attending BYU. Their son-in-law, Ryan, graduated from BYU in 2024 and currently teaches as a choir director at East High School. Dr. Barney and his wife also have one granddaughter, Hazel, who is 11 months old.
Dr. Barney's research interests:
Dr. Barney's research interests include appropriate instructional practices in K–12 physical education, the use of music in physical education and physical activity settings, student attitudes toward K–12 physical education, and physical activity for college-aged students.
His experiences doing this research:
Dr. Barney has found research to be a rewarding experience. It has informed his teaching and helped him better understand effective instructional practices and student engagement.
What led him to these interests:
Dr. Barney believes his research interests developed naturally over time. Through collaboration with colleagues and a review of the existing literature, he found limited research on appropriate instructional practices in physical education and the use of music in PE. This gap sparked his interest and led him to pursue these areas further.
How Dr. Barney's research interests align with the aims of BYU:
Dr. Barney believes his research aligns with BYU’s aims, particularly its focus on intellect and lifelong learning. Dr. Barney has structured his work around what he thinks the Savior would do; think critically, apply knowledge, and develop a lifelong desire to learn.
How Dr. Barney's research impacts his teaching:
His research helps Dr. Barney better prepare students to become effective physical education teachers. By understanding and implementing appropriate instructional practices, future teachers can help students develop lifelong physical activity habits. Additionally, incorporating music into physical activity can increase enjoyment and motivation, potentially leading to sustained participation.
How Dr. Barney's research will affect education in the future:
His research has the potential to help students become lifelong participants in physical activity by improving instructional strategies and increasing student enjoyment and engagement in physical education.
How students can get involved with his, or any professor's research:
One of the best ways for students to get involved is to ask. "The professors will love having students involved in the research process." Another opportunity for students studying Physical Education is to participate in the PELA program, where they can assist with research and deepen their understanding of it.
Final thoughts:
Dr. Barney encourages students to take advantage of this stage of their education by learning and gaining as much experience as possible.
Huge thank you to Dr. David Barney for talking to us about the research he does here at BYU! Keep a lookout for more blog posts about the research other professors are doing around the McKay School!
If you have any questions about a major in the McKay School, do not hesitate to meet with a student ambassador! Click here to schedule an appointment.
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