The purpose of this study was to inspect the process of elementary students' perceptions on the
self-directed gym class. To achieve the purpose, the gym classes of challenge activities were conducted to
the fourth grade students of B elementary school in Daegu during six weeks from April 4 to May 20.
Collected data by self-directed study paper, group diaries, opened questionnaire and in-depth interview
were analyzed through the inductive criteria analysis. The results of this study are as follows.
First, students became to have interest in solving their tasks, necessary for planning of the class and
accomplishing lesson's goal, and to participated in their studies more enthusiastically. Second, students
found methods to solve their problems through various materials and set up their new goals. Third,
students lack in exercise skill or self-directed learning ability had difficulty during classes. Fourth,
students solved their problems by receiving their friends' help and teacher's feedback. Fifth, students
experienced sense of accomplishment and felt great joy over their achievements. So, it is necessary for
teachers to adopt self-directed learning to make students feel much sense of accomplishment and great
joy in physical education classes.