2. PDHPE? What is it?
It is important to understand that PDHPE is not just letting the kids kick the ball
or shoot the hoops.
Yes, it does keep the kids healthy and active. But… there’s more to that…
It’s about developing skills such as communication, teamwork, decision making
and fundamental movement skills (Light, 2003).
No, that’s not it. PDHPE promotes healthy eating, lifestyle and set a positive and
healthy mindset on life.
3. What exactly is Game Sense?
Game sense is student-centered and inquiry-based approach to learning sports (Knijnik,
2017, p.40). This is an innovation that enhances learning and teaching sports through
Teaching Games for Understanding also known as TGfU (Pill, 2011).
Students are able to develop skills and understanding while actively engaging in physical
sports and activities. In terms of Game Sense, skill can mean the understanding of both
technique and the game context simultaneously (Pill, 2011).
4. What exactly is Game Sense?
Student-centered and inquiry-based approach would mean:
That students have the opportunity to change the game, to differentiate and modify it.
They can adjust the rules to make it fair and enjoyable.
It is no longer teacher-centered, rather than given instructions in the beginning. The rules
are given to students and they learn as they go. Analyse the game, then modify and
adjust according to their needs and their peers.
Students have the chance to question and reflect as they go.
5. What is Fundamental Movement
Skills?
You can learn more here: https://goodhabitsforlife.act.gov.au/kids-at-play/fundamental-
movement-skills-fms-1
Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)
Fundamental movement skills are more than just running, throwing and catching.
They are a set of skills developed through games, sports and activities. They have
three constructs: locomotor, manipulative and balance which involve different
parts of the body such as arms, legs, hands, feet and head (Rudd et al., 2015).
Locomotor Manipulative Balance
• Skipping
• Running
• Slide
• Galloping
• Throwing
• Kicking
• Two-hand Strike
• Gym
• Martial Arts
6. Categories of Game Sense
There are four different categories in the game sense approach.
Invasion Games Striking & Fielding
Games
Court and Net Games Target Games
- Basketball
- Netball
- Soccer
- Touch Football
- Hockey
- Base Ball
- Soft Ball
- Cricket
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Volleyball
- Newcomb Ball
- Golf
- Bowls
- Archery
- Bowling
7. Strengths of this approach?
Research has indicated that PDHPE in school lack relevance for students (Light,
2003). So in order to improve and enhance student’s learning, we take on
approaches such as Game Sense to create a student-centred and inquiry-based
experience and learning. This allows PDHPE to be more engaging and
meaningful.
Students develop skills that they can utilise in any given situation, both inside and
outside of school, this includes effective and efficient problem solving, decision
making, social skills and most importantly self-expression.
8. Quick sum up:
The positive effects of Game Sense allows:
Students to experiment and modify the game to make it easier, harder or more
exciting.
Creating their own learning experience and learning to learn.
Learn as they go, they are able to question and reflect.
Develop both social, mental and physical skills.
9. References:
• Knijnik, J. (2017). Lecture Week 2. Primary Health and Physical Education.
Western Sydney University.
• Light, R. (2003). The joy of learning: Emotion and learning in games through
TGfU. Journal of Physical Education New Zealand, 36(1), 93-108.
• Pill, Shane,B.Ed (P.E.) M.Ed F.A.C.H.P.E.R. (2011). Teacher engagement with
teaching games for understanding - game sense in physical education.Journal
of Physical Education and Sport, 11(2), 115-123.
• Rudd, J. R., Barnett, L. M., Butson, M. L., Farrow, D., Berry, J., & Polman, R. C. J.
(2015). Fundamental movement skills are more than run, throw and catch: The
role of stability skills. PLoS One, 10(10)
