Teaching Games for Understanding
The evolution of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) started in the 80’s when the model was first put forward by Thorpe et al. but the inspiration for this new model could date back to the 60’s when pupils began to lose interest in the skill based focus of Physical Education (PE) and educational gymnastics was introduced.
Throughout the 70’s and 80’s an interest had developed in improving the learning experience of pupils and differentiation. By the 90’s the model was implemented by national governing bodies in sporting initiatives such as Top sport and Play sport.
The question remains why is this model of learning not implemented throughout schools? Answers to this question may be; teachers find it hard to translate the model into everyday lessons, it is easer to assess skills and there is heavy emphasis on teachers of PE to be ‘seen’ to teach - to have grades on paper.
TGfU draws on concepts (defence/attack, space and angles of play), which were not considered important in the traditional teaching of games. Thorpe draws on the ideas of a holistic approach to games - where no part of the game is denied. The reason teachers teach skills is to play the game but Thorpe would argue that without putting the game into context (rules, form, tactical appreciation etc.) the game is destroyed. TGfU was introduced in contrast to the traditional method and hoped to develop pupil’s game sense.
Thorpe suggests that all games will fit into categories (invasive, net/wall and striking/fielding) therefore generic games could be used to highlight main tactics for each game in a category - hoping to increase a pupil's game knowledge in such a way that it will transfer over to different games. This may be good for working in schools where time is a constraint but raises the question as to whether teaching skills fit into teaching in generic games.
Research has shown in many cases there isn’t the lifespan or transfer hoped for in TGfU. It should be noted here that research surrounding TGfU is not conclusive due to variable research making it hard to make a comparison. Teaching skills is not ignored in TGfU but is given at times where technique becomes relevant to pupils as they play the game. In the traditional teaching of games, skills are taught first and then have to be slotted into the games in the last part of the lesson. This could lead to having skilled performers that cannot play the game!
In conclusion TGfU may have a place in schools, however, the model needs to be more transferable for teachers, and schools need to recognise there is a medium between skills teaching and ‘play’.
TGfU is aimed at facilitating tactical understanding of games for all pupils. The problem arises on how to grade tactical awareness, therefore TGfU may be better suited to core PE where teachers are not under the same pressure to produce good grades.
Related Pages Sports Education Teaching Styles Learning Domains
Useful publications
201 References referring to the games teaching approaches inspired by the TGFU idea, by Hopper and Light
Links
Lesson Blocks