University of Wollongong

Research Online
Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Faculty of Social Sciences

2007

Promoting physical activity through teaching

games for understanding in undergraduate teacher
education
Kim Mckeen
University of Wollongong, [email protected]

Paul I. Webb
University of Wollongong, [email protected]

Philip J. Pearson
University of Wollongong, [email protected]

Publication Details
Mckeen, K., Webb, P. I. & Pearson, P. J. (2007). Promoting physical activity through teaching games for understanding in
undergraduate teacher education. In J. A. Diniz (Eds.), AIESEP 2005 World Congress (pp. 251-258). Lisboa: Faculdade de
Motricidade Humana.

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PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH TEACHING GAMES FOR

UNDERSTANDING IN UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION
McKeen, K1, Webb, P1, Pearson, P1
1

University of Wollongong, Faculty of Education, Australia

Abstract
Introduction
Physical education teachers play a significant role in influencing the likelihood that their students will engage in
lifelong physical activity. However, with declining physical activity levels, particularly amongst young people, and the
increased prevalence of obese and overweight children and adolescents, promoting lifelong physical activity is one of
the many challenges currently facing physical education teachers. Teachers are required to engage students in quality
learning opportunities to develop prescribed learning outcomes and skills, and make the experience enjoyable to
enthuse young people to be physically active. This study examines whether teaching games for understanding (TGfU)
and technique based pedagogy models in touch football lessons influenced participant physical activity and enjoyment
levels.
Methods
Two groups (46 students in total) of second year pre-service Health and Physical Education teachers were observed
participating in both a TGfU and a technique based lesson in touch football. Observers analysed the activity time of
students in each lesson and additionally made subjective observations of student enthusiasm and their level of intensity
of physical activity. At the conclusion of each lesson participating students completed an enjoyment questionnaire.
Results
The study indicated that the TGfU and technique based models resulted in minimal variation in physical activity time
for most participants. However, the enjoyment questionnaires and peer observations, indicated that the level of
enjoyment amongst participants was higher in the TGfU than the technique based model.
Discussion / Conclusions
Promoting lifelong physical activity to children and adolescence through physical education is a challenge. Physical
education teachers need to reflect on their own teaching practice and recognise that alternative approaches to teaching
games in physical education may be necessary to ensure that students are engaged in enjoyable and challenging learning
experiences which cater for students with varying abilities and interest levels towards games.

Introduction
It is essential that teachers seek to actively engage students in a fun and enjoyable environment so that they will develop
a positive attitude to physical activity. This study specifically analysed 2 different approaches to the teaching of gamesthe teaching games for understanding (TGfU) and the technique based approach to determine whether there was any
difference in physical activity and enjoyment factors. Research and observation of games teaching in physical education
typically shows a series of highly structured lessons based heavily on the teaching of technique [1,2,3,4]. This format
generally divides the lesson into an introductory activity, a skill phase and finishes with a game. This traditional model
has consistently revealed a large percentage of children achieving little or no success due to the emphasis on
performance, skilful players who possess inflexible techniques and poor decision-making capabilities, players who are
dependent on the teacher/coach to make their decisions, and a majority of children who leave school knowing little
about games [5]. The transition from technique learning to game play is difficult for children without an understanding
of how and when to use their skills [3].
Teaching games for understanding
Teaching games for understanding provides students with a more substantive base and clearer frame of reference for
learning about critical elements of game play. The TGfU approach to teaching games places the focus of a lesson on the
student in a game situation where cognitive skills such as tactics, decision-making and problem solving are critical
with isolated technique development utilised only when the student recognises the need for it [6]. Other terminology
and variations of TGfU [7] include: Play Practice [8], the Games Concept Approach [2] and more recently, Playing
for life [9]. Modifying and adapting games is also an important part of using the TGfU approach. The concept of
modification for exaggeration is used to emphasis particular tactical aspects.
Using the game of hockey as an example, it is important that the student first has an understanding the game, that the
ball must be moved down field, with the intention of scoring a goal. An appreciation of the game might include a grasp
of the concept of moving down the field individually or as a team whilst thwarting the opponents attempts to take
control. One of many examples of tactics is passing to players on the wing to run the ball up field. Whether to have a
shot at goals, or whether to pass to a player in a better position is where the skill of decision-making is required. Finally
skill execution and performance is required to perform a flick shot to score in the top corner of the goals.

Teaching games for understanding is an approach to teaching that makes very effective use of active learning in that the
students are learning though playing the games. In addition to this, questioning is a powerful method of encouraging
players to analyse their actions, both individually, and as a team [10]. Questions will generally relate to a particular
tactical aspect. Effective phrasing of questions can also help to guide the player to an answer, in the event that they are
struggling with an activity. Age, experience and ability level of the players will affect the complexity of the questions
used [10].
Given the decreased involvement of children in physical activity, TGfU is aimed at encouraging children to become
more tactically aware and to make better decisions during the game. As well, it encourages children to begin thinking
strategically about game concepts whilst developing skills within a realistic context and most importantly, having fun.
Essentially by focusing on the game (not necessarily the full game), players are encouraged to develop a greater
understanding of the game being played. Thomas states that the desired effect of this is players/students who are more
tactically aware and are able to make better decisions during the game, thereby adding to their enjoyment of playing the
game [11]. She also gives an account of workshops where participants were asked to identify what they perceived as
the strengths of TGfU, with the following five major themes emerging. TGfU was found to:
Encourage a holistic approach to the teaching of games
Promote enjoyment for participants
Promote player centred learning
Cater for varying abilities
Foster efficiency in aspects of implementation
TGfU has been shown to result in improved learning outcomes for students. Games are a significant component of the
physical education curriculum, with research suggesting that 65 per cent or more of the time spent in physical
education is allotted to games [5]. Key outcomes of successful physical education are students that have the ability to
make successful decisions on the field and have an awareness of both technical and tactical aspects of the game [12].
There is also a relationship between time spend practicing fundamental movement skills and competence in
fundamental movement. Research shows that children who are competent in FMS are more likely to enjoy sports and
activities and to develop a lifelong commitment to physical activity. Research also suggests that children who do not
master the FMS are more likely to drop out of physical activity later in life [9]. Primary aged children have recently
been exposed to TGfU concepts through the Australian Sports Commissions Playing for life approach adopted in
their Active After School Communities (AASC) coach training program. AASC is a national program that is part of the
Australian Commonwealth Governments $116 million Building a Healthy, Active Australia package. It provides
primary aged school children with access to free, structured physical activity programs in the after school time slot of
3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. The program is designed to engage traditionally non-active children in physical activity and to
build pathways with local community organizations, including sporting clubs. Playing for life is an approach to
coaching that uses games as the focus of development. By concentrating on game-based activities, children are able to:
develop skills within a realistic and enjoyable context, rather than practicing them in isolation and from a technical
perspective. Become maximally engaged in dynamic game-based activities that use a fun approach to developing a
range of motor skills [9].
Research [5,13,14,15,16] indicates the strengths of the TGfU approach and the desirability of it as one of the major
approaches to quality teaching of games. Light [13] highlighted the effectiveness of TGfU for engagement and
cognitive learning. Higher order thinking occurs from questioning and discussion about tactics and strategies and also
through the intelligent movements of the body during games [13]. Cognitive development through decision-making
and tactical exploration are combined with skill development within modified games to provide meaningful contexts.
Light suggests that it is difficult for some physical educators to address cognition in games. TGfU is one pedagogical
approach that may assist teachers and coaches to address this issue.
Light [17] examined the response for teaching games for understanding pedagogical approach in an Australian
University to Bachelor of Education students studying primary teaching. Student evaluations were generally positive
indicating an increase in enjoyment, understanding and cognitive engagement in the games. In comparing games sense
to skill-based teaching, Werner et al, state thatwhile the teacher may be convinced that skill-based lessons are having
a positive effect in that some immediate skill improvement is made, the social and skill related interactions might over
time convince the youngsters of their lack of ability [5]. Thorpe and Bunker argued that a skill-based approach to
teaching less physically able students is likely to: result in a sense of failure, a lack of enjoyment, poor self-concept
and subsequently inhibition of long term participation [18] In contrast to this, the students who exhibited low physical
and technical ability in the TGfU lessons consistently reported significantly higher and more positive scores for these
same factors. It appears that a skills-based approach serves only to highlight, confirm and reinforce often publicly
the pupils lack of physical ability [18].

Turner and Martinek [16] compared two middle school physical education lessons on hockey one using the traditional
method and the other TGfU. They found that there was a clear trend towards better decision making for the TGfU
group, who also scored higher for procedural knowledge. The TGfU approach enabled students to control a hockey ball
more adeptly, make better passing decisions, and execute passing more effectively than under a technique approach.
Harrison, Blakemoore, Richards and Oliver in their study of volleyball players, found that TGfU also increases selfefficacy of players [19].
This study further investigated the amount of physical activity and enjoyment of students exposed to the TGfU
approach compared to traditional teaching of games.
Method
Ten students in each group were monitored in both the technique based and the TGfU lessons by observers to determine
the time spent being physically active and their perceived level of enjoyment. Each lesson using both the technique
based approach and the TGfU lesson were of thirty minutes duration. Group 1 did the TGfU lesson first followed by the
technique based lesson while group 2 did the reverse. Touch (football) was the activity used for both lessons. Touch is a
sport played by 6 players where the object is to cross a scoreline by passing the ball backwards on a 70 by 50 metre
field. The TGfU lesson consisted of an introductory end ball game of 6 a side where the participants could pass the ball
forwards or backwards to get to a player over a scoreline. If a player is touched when in possession they have 3 seconds
to pass the ball. Key questions included: If you are the ball carrier what are your options ? If you not the ball carrier and
are on the attacking team what are you trying to do? As a defender what are your options? The participants then
returned to the game keeping in mind the basic strategies from the questioning. Each team also spent a few minutes
developing strategies for attack and defence before returning to the game. Following this 2 further progressions were
added to the game 6 touches or possessions before a changeover to the other team, and you must pass the ball
backwards after being touched. Further questioning after each progression took place around strategies, rules and
technique.
The technique based lesson consisted of a warm up followed by basic skill and drill activities. The first activity was in
groups of 4 with a semi-circle facing outwards where they had to pass the ball backwards around the circle. The next
activity the object was to pass the ball backwards in a stationary line. This was followed by a progression of going to a
moving line. The focus was on the correct technique of passing the ball backwards. The participants finished with a
minor game of 5 passes which took place in a grid approximately 10 metres square. Each team tried to get 5 passes to
score a point while their opponents tried to intercept or force a mistake.
At the end of each lesson the participants completed an enjoyment questionnaire modified from Kendzierski and
Decardo [20].
Results
Level of physical activity
When comparing the time spent being physically active in the technique based lesson compared to the TGfU lesson
there was no significant difference. However, the results of the enjoyment surveys and the subjective observations
indicated that the level of enjoyment amongst participants in both groups was higher in the TGfU than the technique
based model. Table 1 indicates the findings of the peer observations of time spent being physically active by the ten
students monitored in each group.
Group 1
6 participants were more PA in TGfU
3 participants were more PA in technique
1 participants level of PA was unchanged

Group 2
3 participants were more PA in TGfU
6 participants were more PA in technique
1 participants level of PA was unchanged

Table 1. Variation in time spent on physical activity

Written comments made by peer observers indicated that they generally felt that there appeared to be higher levels of
physical activity in the TGfU lessons than the technique based lessons. One observer noted that the participant they
observed had only touched the ball once in the minor game component of the technique based lesson but in the TGfU
lesson had been actively involved throughout. Several observers commented that in the technique lesson skills utilised
were more non-locomotor in nature, and they felt that there was generally less movement by all participants in the
technique based lesson, with many participants having minimal contact with the ball compared to the TGfU lesson.
Another observer commented that the activities in the technique based lesson appeared to be simple or basic and did
not appear as challenging as those in the TGfU.

Level of enjoyment
Research supports the concept that the motivation to be physically active is influenced by a participants level of
enjoyment. The results of this study support the inclusion of TGfU in physical education programs as a strategy to
promote enjoyment in physical education.
The enjoyment questionnaire completed by each participant included thirteen statements with students indicating their
feelings on a scale from 1 (negative feelings) through to 7 (positive feelings). The total of the student responses to all
statements are shown in Table 2.
negative feelings
Group 1 TGfU
Technique

1
2
8

2
11
32

3
20
62

4
44
70

5
85
100

6
94
41

7
46
5

Group 2 TGfU
Technique

6
3

8
18

10
27

49
91

82
81

112
36

19
26

positive feelings

Table 2. Responses: Level of enjoyment questionnaire

The results of the survey clearly indicate that for students in both groups their level of enjoyment was greater in the
lesson that followed TGfU model than their level of enjoyment in the technique based lesson. The subjective
observations made of student level of enjoyment indicated that most observers found the participants to be more
enthusiastic, and the lessons appeared to be more fun and enjoyable in TGfU than technique (see table 3).

Group 1

Group 2

Teaching games for understanding (TGfU)

Active when playing the game
Involved x 4
As game moved on become less motivated
Enthusiastic about the game x 2
Always active not just within the game
Too much Instructional time x 2
Games not interesting/boring
Interacted well with others
Enthusiastic x 3
More Motivated x 2
Locomotor x 2
More active x 4
Increased Heart Rate
Fun and enjoyable
Teacher talking time was too long x 3

Technique-based
Bored x 3
Skills were all non-locomotor x 4
Less intensity then Game Sense
Too much time explaining the activities
Limited physical activity x 4
Lots of static/stationary activities x 8
Active

Active and constantly moving

Not as much movement as Game sense x 2
Were involved
More walking x 2
Some locomotor
Semi Active especially in warm-up x2
During the game touched the ball once
Simple/basic activities x2

Table 3. Written comments by observers.

These subjective observations support the results of the questionnaire. As level of enjoyment of physical activity is a
critical factor influencing an individuals participation in physical activity, these results demonstrate that TGfU has the
potential to promote lifelong physical activity.

Conclusion
In conclusion, two different approaches to the teaching of games were analysed to determine if there were any
differences in activity and enjoyment level. While there was no difference in activity level there was in enjoyment
favouring the TGfU approach. The next step in this study would be to follow the group of students involved in this
study during their professional teaching experiences to determine their level of enjoyment when teaching lessons based
on the TGfU model compared to those which followed the technique based model.

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