Game Sense

1. GAME SENSE IN
PDHPE
(Personal Development, Health and Physical Education)
What is game sense and
why do we use it in our
classroom to teach
students?

2. What is Game Sense?
• Game Sense is the student-centered method in learning and
teaching. It gives the students more responsibility with their own
learning and motivates them to figure things out on their own and as
a team when participating in games. (Curry and Light, 2006, pp7-19)
• The main emphasis is on the participation of students and the
development of the game rather then the skills. (NSW Department of Education
and Communities)
• Promotes intellectual, physical and social learning by playing games
as well as teamwork based interactions.
• It helps students in developing their own set of skills and interests
through their participation in the activities/games.
• Encourages thinking through decision making and problem solving.
• Students implement various rules and suggestions throughout the
game.

3. Game Sense Approach-
Team Based Game
Categories:
INVASION GAMES: e.g. Soccer, Netball, Hockey
TARGET GAMES: e.g. Bowling, Bocce Ball, Golf
NET AND WALL GAMES: e.g. Tennis, Squash, Badminton
STRIKING AND FIELDING GAMES: e.g. T-Ball, Cricket, Baseball,
These are some of the ways that the Game Sense
approach will be incorporated into our teaching.

4. Game Sense & NSW Teaching
Syllabus
Game Sense approach allows for students to achieve some of the
following outcomes from the teaching syllabus:
 PSS3.5: PROBLEM SOLVING: Suggests, considers and selects
appropriate alternatives when resolving problems
 INS3.3: INTERACTING: Acts in ways that enhance the contribution of
self and others in a range of cooperative situations.
 MOS3.4: MOVING: Refines and applies movement skills creatively to
a variety of challenging situations.
 COS3.3: COMMUNICATING: Communicates confidently in a variety
of situations.
 DMS3.2: DECISION MAKING: Makes informed decisions and
accepts responsibility for consequences.

5. Why Game Sense?
Game sense is a great teaching method as it allows for the students
to develop and learn their own skills and what they are good at.
Encourages students further with their involvement in the rule-making
and other suggestions for games.
Gives the students the time to explore themselves and their abilities.
Students are the main focus, therefore gives them a feeling of control
and responsibility. The teacher is only there to support and assist
them, teacher does not make up the rules or suggestions.
Very student centered approach.

6. How Game Sense Is Different
to Other Methods:
Challenges students with the way games are played.
Does not isolate any students, everyone is equal.
No ‘waiting’ for others to finish a game etc.
Students alter games to suit themselves.
Students are encouraged to develop skills by them selves.
The game is at the students own level of difficulty and abilities

7. REFERENCES
Merna Bani 17494003
• Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal development, health and physical
education K-6: Syllabus. Sydney, Australia.
• Curry, C., and Light, R. (2006). Addressing the NSW quality teaching framework in
physical education: Is Game Sense the answer. In Asia Pacific Conference on
Teaching Sport and Physical Education for Understanding (pp. 7-19).
• NSW Department of Education and Communities. Game sense approach to
practical lessons. Retrieved from
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/pdhpe/assets/pdf
/ pa_002.pdf