Teacher engagement with teaching games for understanding - game sense in physical education

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    27 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Previous research has suggested that the implementation of innovation that reinvigorates the teaching of games and sports in Australian schools has faced considerable barriers (Alexander, 2008; Light & Georgakis, 2005; Pill, 2009). One example of an innovation to enhance sport teaching and learning is Teaching Games for Understanding-Game Sense (den Dun, 1996, 1997a). This paper presents the findings from a survey of physical education teachers' in one Australian state and the degree of engagement with TGfU-GS curriculum design and enactment. Sixty Four teachers participated in a web survey investigating the penetration of TGfU-GS curriculum. The data was treated as qualitative and the surveys were analysed by comparative systematic interpretation to reveal recurring themes. The analysis indicated that TGfU- GS was thought to be most applicable for senior years (Years 11-12) physical education. Teachers recognised the use of small-sided modified games and 'questioning as pedagogy' as common practice and not distinctive to a TGfU-GS approach. However, the use of questioning was generally not planned for in teacher lesson preparation and lesson planning did not utilise TGfU-GS game categories to thematically develop game understanding systematically across sport specific units of work. While elements of TGfU-GS pedagogy are evidenced in the design and enactment of sport and sport related games teachers TGfU-GS was yet to be fully understood and implemented by the majority of teachers.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)115-123
    Number of pages9
    JournalJournal of Physical Education and Sport
    Volume11
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011

    Keywords

    • Game sense
    • Physical education
    • Sport
    • Teaching games for understanding

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