Game Sense What is the game sense approach?

The game sense approach is a student centered approach. This approach

gives students the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of the

lesson while being active and independent learners as they are involved in

the game (Australian Sports Commission, 2016).

The game sense approach is increasing physical education pedagogies in

primary schools as it practices high quality teaching (Light, 2014).

Fundamental Movement Skills The fundamental movement skills are the skills that primary school students need to master in order to participate in and enjoy a wide variety of physical activities, sports, and games. There are 12 fundamental movement skills that are deemed to be the foundation for movement. The core movement skills are as follows:• Static balance• Sprint run• Vertical jump• Side gallop• Catch • Kick• Hop• Skip• Leap• Overarm throw• Two hand strike• Dodge (Reference)

These essential skills are learnt through a game sense approach where students learn the skills through active and involved learning in sports and games during PE lessons.

The game sense approach is based on the theory that specific principles are common across a range of different games, and that teaching the students about the principles will give students the knowledge of participating in the game with more understanding (Curry, 2011).

The game sense approach classifies games into four different areas:

• Invasion games such as Oztag, Soccer, Basketball, and Netball.

• Target games such as Archery and Bowling.

• Court and net games such as Volleyball and Tennis.

• Striking and field games such as Cricket and Baseball.

Strengths of using the Game Sense approach for teaching

The game sense approach promotes high quality teaching. It uses a variety

of teaching strategies instead of solely focusing on lessons that are based

on teaching the skills repetitively through using the traditional approach.

The game sense approach is very student centered. Students learn the skills

as they are practicing them through participating in various games that

include the skills students essentially need to learn.

By playing a range of games students realise the particular skills and rules that are

necessary in playing the game successfully.

By using the game sense approach, the game itself becomes the central part of

the lesson rather than being played at the end of the lesson.

The game sense approach is engaging and students enjoy being able to be given

choices as well as being taught skills through various games. Student input is

essential in the game sense approach as open ended questions are used in each

lesson to encourage cognitive thinking and reflection.

Students input is considered in modifying games an making games more engaging

for students that are participating in them.

Links with the syllabus content The game sense approach links with the PDHPE K-6 syllabus as it

clearly promotes learning, growth, and development through games, understanding of fair and safe play, as well the positive impacts of learning through play and cooperation.

The fundamental movement skills in the syllabus promotes learning through games and sports, which include playing with and sharing equipment (BOSTES, 2007).

The game sense approach implements all the skill outcomes that are included in the syllabus content which include learning skills through communicating, decision making, interacting, moving, and problem solving, all of which the game sense approach is based on.

Reference List Australian Sports Commission. (2016). Sporting Schools. Game Sense Approach. Retrieved

from https://

sportingschools.gov.au/resources-and-pd/schools/playing-for-life-resources/game-sense-appro

ach

Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal development, health and physical education K-6:

Syllabus. Sydney, Australia: Author.

Curry, C. (2011). Using the Game Sense Approach to Deliver Quality Teaching in Physical

Education. 21st Century Learning. Western Sydney University. Retrieved from

https://learning21c.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/using-the-game-sense-approach-to-deliver-

quality-teaching-in-physical-education/

Light, R. (2014). Quality Teaching Beyond Games Through Game Sense Pedagogy. University

of Sydney Papers in HMHCE- Special Game Sense Edition. Retrieved from

https://sydney.edu.au/education_social_work/research/centres_and_networks/ADPN/HMHCE-p

apers/resources/HMHCE_GS_Ed_Article_01_2014.pdf