The importance of the Game Sense approach in Primary PDHPE

Miss Dana Sada – 5S

PDHPE GAME SENSE APPROACH

Introduction to Games Sense Approach

• Teachers use a variety of approaches when teaching PDHPE lessons, with the Game Sense approach being one of the most important

• Meaning ‘teaching games for understanding’ approach (NSW Department of Education and Communities, 2011)

• Approach is based on certain assumptions that certain concepts are more common across various games

• Teaching students these concepts will qualify them to perform in the game with more of an understanding

• Game Sense approach has 4 different categories/areas (NSW Department of Education and Communities, 2011)

• 1. Invasion games e.g. soccer, basketball, touch football

• 2. Target games e.g. golf, archery

• 3. Striking and fielding games e.g. softball, cricket

• 4. Court and net games e.g. tennis, volleyball

• Each category has different games, which have similar principles to fit into the Game Sense approach. Each game also requires every students participation so no one feels left out

Teaching Games for Understanding model

• This approach is a variation of Bunker and Thorpe’s Teaching Games for Understanding model (1986)

• The model promotes decision making, questioning and problem solving in order to achieve successful performance

• Use of approaches are deemed a much more successful approach rather then direct teaching/coaching approaches (Australian Sports Commission, 2014)

Strengths of the Game Sense approach

• The Game Sense approach is very beneficial in teaching the students because it essentially is a student-centred approach

• This approach allows students to feel free and explore their own skills and understanding while actively being involved in the game with the rest of the class

• Students will realize the need and the importance of particular skills and rules that are necessary to play the game and to be successful at their attempts

• This approach is a method that is successful with all ages• Focuses its attention specifically on the student and

supports in developing their skills• Students benefit from this approach because it focuses on

the nature of the game first, helps the student develop a better understanding of the game before applying any of their skills (Australian Sports Commission, 2014)

• Skills are added in at the child’s own pace – it is not forced nor are they pressured in doing so

ReferencesAustralian Sports Commission. (2014). Active After-school

Communities: Athletics Play. Retrieved from http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/477769/Athletics_Play_manual_v1.0_-_28_9_10.

pdf

Australian Sports Commission. (2014). Coaching Processes: Teaching Games for Understanding. Retrieved from

http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/coaching_processes/teaching_games_for_understanding

NSW Department of Education and Communities. (2011). PDHPE: Game Sense approach to practical lessons. Retrieved from

http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/pdhpe/assets/pdf/pa_002.

pdf