Game Sense Approach

Rationale

Miss Fadel Year 2F

What approaches do PDHPE teachers use?

Background information of the development

of

Game Sense approach

In the 1990s, in Australia, the Game Sense approach was

established through collaboration amongst the

Australian Sports Commission, Rod Thorpe and Australian

coaches (Light & Robert, 2010).

In PDHPE, teachers use a range of approaches when educating students in physical education classes. However, the most recent

and useful approach that teachers use is the Game Sense approach (Curriculum Support, n.d.).

Game sense is a sport-specific duplication of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) modeled on

Bunker and Thorpe (Pill, 2012)

A Game Sense approach allows the students to build particular areas of skill such as tactical understanding, reading the game, decision-making, player independence and an overall ‘sense of the game’ (Light & Robert, 2010).

What is a

Game Sense approach?

More information on a Game Sense approach

Game Sense is a method that focuses, and builds on, developing students’ understandings of physical activity by applying thinking skills through using problem solving Australian Sports Commission, n.d.).

A Game Sense approach allows teachers to help students learn in an arranged environment, where students can be challenged to meet the requirements of the game and reflect on the questions being discussed rather than being told what to do (Light, 2006).

Games are modified and increase the students’ motivation.

Game sense is suitable for all ages, with different skill levels. It manipulates time, risk and space to promote students’ performance in games (Australian Sports Commision, n.d.).

Importance of Game

Sense

Invasion Games – soccer, basketball

Striking/fielding Games – cricket, tee-ball

Net/wall Games – tennis, volleyball

Target Games – golf, archery

(Light, 2006)

The four categories of team games that a Game Sense

approach focuses on

More on Game Sense!

Why Game Sense in 2F?I am using the Game Sense approach to follow and meet the content and outcomes mentioned in the NSW Board of Studies Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-6 Syllabus.

Using a Game Sense approach promotes children’s development in playing games and in understanding safe, fair play, the benefits of play and cooperation and effort and practice.

Game Sense allows children to learn and practice their fundamental movement skills such as running, walking, jumping, leaping, catching, kicking and etc.

I modify games to enable all students to participate and play with fun. A Game Sense approach aims to involve all students and allows them to make changes while playing the game.

As a teacher, a Game Sense approach allows me to interrupt the game at appropriate intervals to include discussion and debriefing questions to help children reflect on the game being played. This stimulates children’s thinking and reflection on their actions and understandings, asking them: - Why did you pass the ball? What did you do to receive the ball? What other ways could you catch the ball?

Strengths of Game SenseGame Strength is a non-technique-based, non-directive approach.

It uses a constructivist view.

It is a student-centered approach

All students are involved via modifying games.

A Game Strength approach allows students to engage in physical activity and play games with excitement and enjoyment.

Students are able to reflect and gain a broader understanding of playing the game and build on their physical and cognitive skills.

A Game Sense approach promotes students’ learning experiences and communication skills.

A Game Sense approach helps children to remain healthy and be physically active.

A Game Sense approach develops cognitive, social and physical learning.

(Light, 2006; Light & Robert, 2010; Pill, 2012)

References

Australian Sports Commision. (n.d). Teaching games for understanding. Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Retrieved from http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/coaching_processes/teaching_games_for_understanding

Curriculum Support. (n.d). Game sense approach to practical lessons. PDHPE. Retrieved from http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/pdhpe/assets/pdf/

pa_002.pdf

Light, R. (2006). Game sense: Innovation or just good coaching? Journal of Physical Education New Zealand, 39(1), 8-19,3.

Light, R. L., & Robert, J. E. (2010). The impact of Game Sense pedagogy on Australian rugby coaches’ practice: a question of pedagogy. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 15(2), 103-115. doi:10.1080/17408980902729388

Pill, S. (2012). Teaching Game Sense in soccer. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 83(3), 42-52. doi:10.1080/07303084.2012.10598746