PDHPE Game Sense

1. Game Sense
Engages students
Student centered
Develops skills towards
game participation

2. What is Game Sense?
 Game Sense also known as Teaching Games
For Understanding (TGFU) is an approach that
enables students to be introduced to the key
skills they need to master prior to
participating in the game.
 For example, before playing basketball the
students will practice and master the skills
such as dribbling, passing and shooting.
 (Georgakis, 2015)

3. Game Sense Approach
 The approach is student centered with an
inquiry based approach which explores all
aspects of learning within games which are
modified to suit the capabilities and
tendencies of the students. (Light, 2007)
 It also relates to the PDHPE syllabus, as this
approach develops the knowledge
understanding, skills and attitudes important
for students to take positive action (BOS HPE
Syllabus, 2018)

4. Strengths
 Game sense promotes fundamental movement skills and tactics
whilst contributing to the game
 Traditional sport classes are disengaging and promote a sense of
discomfort to the students
 Game sense provides an encouraging, safe and a socially
engaged environment.
 Game sense is a very encouraging approach which involves
collaborative problem solving
 Does not place the students under pressure in performing well as
it does not place the students under the critical eye of the
teachers to perform
 (light, 2007)

5. Benefits
 This approach engages the students and
develops a better understanding of the game.
The modified game strategies enables the
students to develop skills towards the tactics of
the game.
 The Game Sense approach is also very
entertaining for the students.
 It keeps the students active as the approach
allows the students to spend more time
practicing fundamental movements.
 It engages the students to various forms of
physical exercise rather than non participating
activities.

6. Implicated in the classroom
 We use the approach to support students in becoming
critical thinkers and potentially develop the skills to further
develop their knowledge
 Comfortable environment as game sense does not
determine one specific way in doing something
 Creates an engaging classroom
 Applies more comfort towards students wellbeing the
students learn within the context of the game and teachers
employ questioning instead of direct instruction
(Georgakis, 2015)

7. References
 Georgakis., S & Light., R. (2007). The effect of Game Sense pedagogy on primary
school pre-service teachers' attitudes to teaching physical education. ACHPER
Australia Healthy Lifestyles Journal, 54(1), 24-28.
 Georgakis, S., Wilson, R., & Evans, J. (2015). Authentic assessment in physical
education: A case study of game sense pedagogy. The Physical Educator, 72(1), 67.
 Board of Studies, NSW. (2018). Personal Development, Health and Physical
Education K-6 Syllabus. Sydney: Board of Studies