PE_Guidelines_english0

Approaches and
methodologies
Section 5 Approaches and methodologies
A variety of approaches
One of the keys to the successful
teaching of physical education is the
use of a broad range of approaches
and methodologies. This section of the
guidelines outlines some of the
approaches that have been found to
be particularly suited to physical
education in the primary school.
As it is acknowledged that schools,
classes and teachers will vary, some
methods will suit particular
circumstances better than others, and
the nature of the strands themselves
necessitates the use of a variety of
teaching methods. There is a need to
examine the teaching methods which
will best enhance the achievement of
the objectives, taking factors such as
the content and context of the lesson
into account, as well as the needs of
the learner.
Teaching approaches are not
necessarily exclusive. An effective
teacher is likely to switch and mix
approaches to suit the objectives of the
unit of work or the lesson. As objectives
vary within a lesson, the effective
teacher will move between different
teaching approaches or methods. The
teacher begins by deciding what he/
she wishes to achieve and then chooses
the most appropriate method of
realising those objectives.
Exemplars
Throughout this section of the
guidelines exemplars are included.
Many exemplars contain lessons or
units of work illustrating a broad range
of approaches and methodologies,
detailed content of the lesson or unit
and some methods of assessment.
Exemplar 2 illustrates how physical
education can be integrated with other
subjects, while Exemplars 6–8 illustrate
folk dances which may be used to form
folk dance lessons or units of work.
Selecting appropriate methodologies
and approaches
Among the teaching approaches which
are particularly appropriate for
teaching physical education are
• the direct-teaching approach
• the guided-discovery approach
• integrated approaches.
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