What is game sense?As described by Light (2012), game

sense is an approach where the teacher or coach constructs a game

or a series of games in order to reach a certain goal. This particular approach also allows time for

students to ask questions, answer questions and reflect. Due to the

reflection, this approach also allows for the teacher to modify the

designed game based on difficulty which allows student’s with different

skills or different levels of skills to focus on their own area of need.

What is game sense?Light (2012) also highlights the fact

that continuation of game sense approach allows for students to

become familiar with it and eventually they will be able to

understand when and how games need to be modified resulting in the

approach being more effective.

What is game sense?Stolz and Pill (2014) explain that the ‘Game Sense Approach’ is superior to

that of the traditional approach of teaching PE. The traditional approach

is generally defined as coaching students through a series of drills which develop skills until students have reached the point of having

enough skills to be able to participate in the game. The game sense

approach allows students to develop skills throughout participation in

modified and progressively more difficult games.

The strengths of Game Sense as a teaching approach

EngagementGame sense as a teaching approach helps

keep all students engaged at one time. Traditional methods of teaching sport or

PE often result in students waiting around for their turn to practise a particular skill. By using the Game Sense approach, the teacher is able to modify the game to

keep all students engaged at once.

The strengths of Game Sense as a teaching approach

AdaptabilityThe Game Sense approach allows for the teacher to

modify the game in a multitude of ways to cater to students with differing levels of skill. Modifications can be made to the playing area size, equipment

used, number of players or even grouping of players with similar levels of skill. Due to the familiarity of the approach by the students over time, Game Sense also encourages students to flourish into independent and enthusiastic learners as they become confident with

understanding when and how their games need to be modified to match their skill

The strengths of Game Sense as a teaching approach

FunOne of the biggest strengths of Game

Sense is keeping activities fun. Everyone, especially children, loves games! Keeping it fun adds to the

element of engagement. If the students are enjoying themselves

they will be more inclined to engage in the activity at hand.

Links to the PDHPE syllabus contentThe PDHPE syllabus stresses the importance of

communicating, decision making and interacting. The Game Sense approach supports all of these outcomes

by encouraging and developing independence. Students learn to communicate and interact with

others and also make decisions regarding when it’s necessary to modify the game to suit their needs.

Students also work on their problem solving skills by finding out what works for them and what doesn’t, enabling them to modify the games on their own. Game Sense approach also promotes movement

through games and sports and encourages an active lifestyle.

Reference list• Anon, (2016). Personal Development,Health and

Physical Education K-6 syllabus. [online] Available at: http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/330e5ccb-782a-432b-8ce5-122a8c42967e/k6_pdhpe_syl.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

• Light, R. (2012). Game Sense. : Taylor and Francis. Retrieved from http://www.ebrary.com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au

• Stolz, S. A., & Pill, S. (2014). A narrative approach to exploring TGfU-GS. Sport, Education and Society. doi:10.1080/13573322.2014.890930