Game sense
- 1. Guide for Parents and Students
- 2. What is Game Sense The game sense approach is a students centred approach which focuses on the game rather then the technique and skills that traditional approaches see as needing to be mastered before playing the game (Curry, 2011). Game sense involves designing modified games that progressively move from simple to more complex games. Allowing skills and understanding to be developed along the way. During the game, teachers can assess students performance while providing meaningful feedback which helps the learners development towards skilfulness and competence (Dyson, Griffin & Hastie, 2004).
- 3. What is Game Sense? Game sense focuses on four game categories: Target, Striking, Net/Wall and Invasion. Target Striking Net/Wall Invasion Archery Bowling Golf Darts Baseball Cricket Softball Kickball Tennis Volleyball Handball Squash Basketball Football Soccer Hockey Using game sense allows students to understand similarities between games and explore common principles. The games in each category have similar tactical problems. Understanding these tactical problems can assist in transferring skills and performance from one game to another. (Bunker & Thorpe, 1982; Griffin, Mitchell & Oslin, 1997).
- 4. Strengths of Game Sense as a Teaching Approach The Game Sense approach links directly to the NSW PDHPE syllabus, particularly in regards to the Games and Sports Strand and the Active lifestyle strand. In relation the games and sports strand, each students develops competence in a broad range of modified games. By using a game sense approach students develop fundamental movement skills, progressing to more games and sports specific skills, which in turn fosters positive feeling of success and enjoyment. The Game Sense approach allows students to adopt an active lifestyle that improve their overall wellbeing. Students also develop the skills and attitudes necessary for an active lifestyle. Game sense also allows students to develop there communication, problem solving, decision making, interacting and movement skills.
- 5. Strengths of Game Sense as a Teaching Approach The game sense approach allows students to be challenged and it encourages creativity. This motivates students as they are enjoying the game and at the same time, they are experiencing personal satisfaction. In relation to game sense, games are able to be modified and adapted to involve all students, regardless of their physical ability. This encourages a positive and inclusive sporting environment. Game Sense approach encourages students to develop their own skills and understanding while being actively involved in the game. By playing the game, students realise the reason for particular skills and rules that are necessary to play the game successfully. Skill development then occurs after the students have been exposed to the game.
- 6. Strengths of Game Sense as a Teaching Approach By using Game Sense approach, teachers may explicitly teach students how to transfer knowledge they have about one game to another game within the same category. For example, pickle ball is a net/wall game, which shares tactical similarities with tennis. Each game sense category presents tactical problems which must be overcome in order to score. Through games, students identify the various tactical problems a game presents and explore solutions to these problems by making decisions and applying particular movements and skills without any reliance on the coach. Therefore intellectual learning is developed through movement. The Game sense approach allows students to perform in an environment where decision making, problem solving and skill development are developed throughout the game. STUDENTS LEARN A GAME BY PLAYING IT !
- 7. References Bunker, D., & Thorpe, R. (1982). A model for the teaching of games in the secondary schools. Bulletin of Physical Education, 10, 9-16. Curry, C. (2011). Using the game sense approach to deliver quality teaching in physical education. University of Western Sydney. Retrieved from http://learning21c.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/using-the-game-sense-approach- to-deliver-quality-teaching-in-physical-education/ Dyson, B., Griffin, L.L., & Hastie, P. (2004). Sport Education, tactical games, and cooperative learning: Theoretical and pedagogical considerations. Quest. 56 (2), 226-240, doi: 10.1080/00336297.2004.10491823 Griffin, L.L., Mitchell, S.A., & Oslin, J.L. (1997). Teaching sport concepts and skills: A tactical games approach. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.