Despite sound policy and educative reasons for its adoption, the use of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) (Bunker and Thorpe, 1982, 1986b) amongst Physical Education (PE) teachers remains limited. Previous research has indicated that PE (student) teachers’ past and current experiences influence their interpretation and application of this instructional model. The purposes of this interpretative case study therefore were to (a) examine how PE teachers not formally educated in its use interpreted and delivered TGfU using net games and (b) identify the factors that led to their interpretation and delivery of this model. The participants were three purposefully selected teachers from a Sports Academy in the West Midlands, United Kingdom (UK). Data were collected through formal, stimulated-recall and informal interviews, lesson observation field notes, teacher reflective journals and lesson planners. The theoretical framework used to guide data collection and analysis was occupational socialization¹ (Lawson, 1983a, b). The data was inductively analysed teacher by teacher and then by cross-case analysis (Lincoln and Guba, 1985). Findings showed that the teachers demonstrated differing versions of TGfU based around teaching tactics, techniques and use of social constructivist learning strategies. Themes that influenced the teachers’ interpretations and use of TGfU individually and/or collectively were their knowledge of games; the capabilities and behaviour of their pupils and the influence of past and present colleagues. The original contribution to knowledge of this thesis is that the workplace appears incapable of encouraging the full version of the model to be utilised by teachers not previously educated in its use in the UK, irrespective of the relative simplicity of the game taught and the time frame. It is recommended that teachers receive Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to develop their understanding of the tactical problem-solving nature of games; ensure they have sufficient content knowledge and be able to implement the underpinning learning theory effectively.

The purpose of this study is to provide a more reflective climate for the teaching of games in Hong Kong and if appropriate, to start the process of introducing a different teaching approach. The current climate of games teaching in Hong Kong was evidenced by the review of the P. E. syllabus, the feedback collected from the P. E. lecturers, national governing bodies and P. E. teachers who are in favour of the traditional approach. Interestingly, 47 out of 155 teachers (30.4%) found difficulty with the existing teaching approach. A pilot study and two workshops provided encouraging results to pave the road for the main and second trial teachings. To suit the culture in Hong Kong, the modified cognitive approach was adopted in the main trial teaching and then followed by the cognitive approach (teaching games for understanding) in the second trial teaching. Two groups of 8 experienced and inexperienced P. E. teachers (4 male and 4 female) were invited to teach Basketball and Volleyball to 420 students in two trials of teaching. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed to study the affective aspects of the teachers and students after each approach. A follow-up interview was designed to study teachers' changes one year after the workshop. For the teachers' responses in the Basketball group, significant results indicated that the teachers (t value 3.29 p<0.05) gained more enjoyment with the modified cognitive approach. The results in the follow-up interview indicated that they had different changesin fluencedb y the new approach.F or the students' responses of the Basketball and Volleyball groups, significant result showed that the boys obtained more enjoyment with the modified cognitive approach taught by the male teachers than the girls taught by the female teachers. No significant difference was found in the Basketball group but in the Volleyball group, the students were more enjoyable with the modified cognitive approach taught by the experienced teachers. The findings imply that since both the teachers and students felt comfortable and enjoyed teaching games with the understanding approach, it is an appropriate time to introduce it to Hong Kong.

The Tactical Games Model (TGM) is an instructional model in which the primary assumption is to facilitate students' tactical understanding of games (i.e., response-selection and execution processes). Additionally, there is speculation that tactical understanding of one game transfers to other tactically similar games (Mitchell, Oslin & Griffin, 2006, p. 20). Limited research has been conducted regarding student response selection processes, problem representations, knowledge base development, or transfer of learning in this model. Griffin and Patton (2005) called for examination of TGM through an information processing lens. Examining action, condition, and goal responses of novice physical education students could provide significant insight to students' improved game performance. Also, examining students' engagement in particular tactical problems across diverse activities in a single game category could provide insight into how and which knowledge structures transfer. The purpose of this study was to examine fifth-grade students' tactical understanding and decision-making in a net/wall unit. A second purpose was to analyze the transfer of knowledge structures across the unit. Participants included an elementary school physical educator and purposively selected students (n=16; M=8, F=8) from a fifth-grade physical education class (N=50) at a suburban elementary school in the northeastern United States. Appropriate permission was obtained from the university's Institutional Review Board. The unit consisted of 20 lessons (50 minute classes). Select students remained in a cohort, participating with and against each other throughout the unit. Data was collected using multiple sources: (a) game performance (pre-post-unit), (b) situational knowledge quiz (pre-post-unit), (c) formal, semi-structured teacher interviews/written response to structured questions (pre-post-unit), (d) descriptive field notes, (e) video-taped and audio-taped teacher/student performances, (f) student think-aloud reports during the second game of each lesson (McPherson & Thomas, 1989), and (g) student focus group interviews (post-unit). Interviews were transcribed, open, axial, and selectively coded, then triangulated to develop categories. Situational quizzes, verbal recall data, and focus group interviews were micro-analyzed using a protocol analysis developed by McPherson and Thomas (1989) to examine action, condition, and goal orientations of students. Video taped game performances were analyzed using the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (Griffin, Mitchell, & Oslin, 1997). Results contribute to the empirical support for TGM, as well as contribute to what is known about knowledge structure development and transfer of learning for 5th grade novice games players.

Aim and research questions The over-all aim of this study was to gain insight info how two male coaches of a specific soccer team behave in a practice environment with regards to educating the players. More specifically, the study sought to map the extent to which said behaviour matched two specific methods of learning; these being Teaching Games for Understanding (TgfU) and Enhanced Guided Discovery (EGD). Research questions: (1) Do the coaches employ the methods and guidelines, which are outlined in the educational plan provided by the soccer association? If so, what form does this application take in practice? (2) To what extent and in what ways do the coaches utilize feedback and questioning techniques in the education of players? (3) What similarities and differences in behaviour can be identified between the chosen soccer team’s two coaches? Method: The data for the study was collected through field observation. The subjects were two youth elite soccer coaches and observation of these coaches took place during five regular practice sessions on the soccer field. All data gathering and analysis were carried out using a modified version of the Coach Analysis and Intervention System (CAIS). Apart from the twenty-one original coaching behaviours of the CAIS, this specific modification also included two training forms with related training activities. These training forms are called training form and playing form. Results: The analysis showed that they utilized the teaching methods, specifically the TGfU and EGD, both when planning and executing practice sessions. The most common kinds of feedback that were used were specific positive and general positive feedback. The coaches frequently relied on questioning as an educational technique during practice, with open questions being the most commonly used type. The observations revealed several similarities and some differences in behaviour between the coaches. Conclusion: The methods that the two coaches employ when training their players correspond to the methods laid out in TGfU and EGD. Both coaches rely heavily on questioning and feedback as behavioural techniques, with open questions and specific positive feedback being among their most common teaching behaviours. The study shows that the practical behaviour of the coaches is firmly based in theories of learning and long-term athletic development. In this way, the coaches have managed to create a learning environment that is successful over time. / Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med denna studie är att, genom observationer av en manlig huvudtränare och en manlig assisterande tränare för ett specifikt fotbollslag, samla kunskap om hur tränarna beter sig i träningsmiljö i avseende att ut-veckla sina spelare. Syftet är även mer specifikt att undersöka om, och i så fall hur tränarnas beteenden är kopplade till inlärningsmetoderna Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) och Enhanced Guided Discovery (EGD). Studiens frågeställningar var: (1) Arbetar fotbollstränarna med de metoder och riktlinjer för inlärning som står skrivet i föreningens spelarutbildningsplan? Hur arbetar de i så fall? (2) Hur arbetar dessa två fotbollstränare med feedback och frågeteknik till sina spelare? (3) Finns det någon/några likheter och/eller skillnader i beteende för de två fotbollstränarna för samma lag? Metod Metoden för att samla in data till denna studie var genom observationer. Deltagarna i studien bestod av två fotbollstränare på ungdomselitnivå (U17). Observationerna av tränarna skedde i deras träningsmiljö, på fotbollsplan under fem träningstillfällen. Observationsinstrumentet som användes i studien var en modifierad version av Coach Analysis and Intervention System (CAIS). Studiens observations-instrument innehåller 21 ursprungliga tränarbeteenden. Denna modifiering av CAIS innehåller även två träningsformer med tillhörande träningsaktiviteter. Dessa träningsformer är training form och playing form. Resultat Observationerna visade att tränarna använde sig av de två inlärningsmetoderna TGfU och EGD när de strukturerade sina träningar, samt när de agerade under träningarna. Vanligast förekommande feedback som användes var specifik positiv- och generell positiv feedback. Tränarna använde sig ofta av frågeteknik under träning, den vanligaste typen av frågor var öppna frågor. Det fanns många likheter i beteende mellan tränarna, men även vissa skillnader. Slutsats Sammanfattningsvis är analysen att tränarna använder sig av metoderna för inlärning; TGfU och EGD i träningsmiljö med sina spelare. Frågeteknik i form av öppna frågor, samt specifik positiv feedback var bland de vanligast använda beteendena hos båda tränarna. Resultatet av observationerna påvisar en nära anknytning mellan tränarnas praktik och teorier kring inlärning och långsiktig idrottslig utveckling. Sålunda lyckas tränarna med tiden forma ett inlärningsklimat som är hållbart över tid.

The study was designed to initially determine levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) occurring during physical education in 11-12 year olds using appropriate objective methods. Subsequently, the potential of a pedagogical method; ‘teaching games for understanding’ to increase PA levels and self determined motivation during PE lessons, and habitual physical activity during leisure time was examined. The most reliable and valid PA measurement tool for the chosen age group was the RT3 ® triaxial accelerometer. PA levels during PE lessons fell short of the recommended 50% (20 minute) criterion, with children accumulating 16.4 ± 2.3 minutes (44.9 ± 5.6%) of mean MVPA during lesson time. Seven day habitual activity monitoring revealed that time spent in MVPA on a PE day was significantly higher (P <0.05) than on a weekend day. This study also highlighted that on non PE days the lack of PE-related activity was not compensated by engagement in other activity. An investigation into the effects of a 12 week TGfU pedagogical strategy on MVPA and elements of Self Determination Theory during PE lessons revealed that boys assigned to the intervention displayed significantly higher (P <0.01) levels of MVPA, and significantly higher levels of autonomy (P < 0.05) post-intervention versus the control group. In addition, a non significant trend for an increase in habitual PA for boys assigned to the intervention lessons was revealed. No significant differences were displayed in the constructs of the TPB pre-post intervention and no significant benefits of TGfU were noted for girls. The reported increases in MVPA and levels of autonomy during PE lessons in boys using a TGfU approach are novel and promising. However it is suggested that future research incorporates such strategies in a health-promoting PE environment in addition to the traditional skills-based activities. This may have potential in enhancing MVPA during PE in girls and boys, and may promote greater transference to habitual physical activity levels. The potential for self determined environments positively impacting upon motivation and intentions to be physically active both during and outside of PE lessons warrants further exploration but over longer time periods.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a new teaching model, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), can influence participants’ understanding of learning and change their practice. This practitioner action research took place over one semester and included four physical education (PE) teachers. Two participants taught using the TGfU model and two participants used their typical practice. Collaboration within a professional learning community encouraged a recursive process of learning of critical aspects of practice. The results of this study indicate that teacher change in PE is possible through the introduction of a new teaching model. The new model enabled a deep analysis of beliefs and led change in practices. For example, the teachers more fully realized the significance of modifying the game (TGfU core idea) to meet their students’ ability levels. In particular, how modifying games is most effective when the students decide how the game will be modified, select the criteria for success when playing the game, and are involved in their own formative assessment.