GAME SENSE AND PDHPE

HOW AND WHY GAME SENSE IS TAUGHT?

WHAT IS GAME SENSE?

• As some of us would remember, the traditional

approach to teaching game skills used the ‘skill

and drill’ method. This method assumes that

there is only one way to perform skill therefore

all students must perform that skill in the

specific way. This however is not the case as

many well-known sports people often develop

their own style of play which is different to the

traditional movements. (Ausport.Gov.Au, 2014)

• Our school employs an alternative approach to

teaching game skills known as the Game

Sense approach. The Game Sense approach

focuses less on teaching specific skills. Rather

Game Sense focuses on a holistic approach to

learning as it focuses on developing the

individuals learning skills in the broader

context of the game, not just the specific skill

sets. (Ausport.Gov.Au, 2014) in doing so, our

students are able to develop skills such as

problem solving, decision making and team

work while also developing physical activity

skills. (Brookes, 2014)

GAME SENSE FOR STUDENTS • Teaching sport with the Game Sense approach is beneficial to the students as

it allows them to develop their own style and skills without being forced to

conform to a set structure of play. The Game Sense approach focuses on less

on strict rules and more on play as a way for students to develop a range of

skills that are applicable to everyday life.

• Game Sense allows teachers to

change and modify games to better

suit their students. The freedom to

modify games allows us to create a

more inclusive environment. For

example, students with learning

differences, physical or otherwise,

may find it difficult to understand or

participate fully in a specific game

like basketball or cricket.

• The strengths of the Game Sense Approach allows teachers to break down or

even create new games which would allow these students to still learn the

movement skills associated with these games in a fun manner without an

discomfort or embarrassment.

• The Game Sense Approach focuses on student development,

enjoyment and comfort above regimented learning, so your kids

will always have fun!

REFERENCES• Ausport.Gov.Au,. (2014). Sports coach :: teaching games for understanding. Retrieved 9 october

2014, from

http://www.Ausport.Gov.Au/sportscoachmag/coaching_processes/teaching_games_for_understanding

• Brookes, L. (2014). How the game sense approach in physical education can develop cognitive

thinking (1st ed.). Somerville house. Retrieved from

http://www.Somerville.Qld.Edu.Au/sites/default/files/how%20the%20game%20sense%20approach

%20in%20physical%20education%20can%20develop%20congnitive%20thinking_leanne

%20brookes_0.Pdf