What are conditions for including all learners in game playing?

Through the multi-activity curriculum model, students will be introduced to a diverse range of physical activity. This allows for the differing needs of students to be addressed rather than focusing on those who are more athletically inclined. Activities should include a combination of cooperative and individual games, sports, dance, gymnastics, fitness development, aquatics, and outdoor activities. Furthermore, activities should incorporate different categories such as cooperative, individual, and team sports, recreational. Games that do not provide inclusive conditions involve those that are eliminate players such as dodge ball or duck duck goose. Another method for learner inclusion involves randomized teams rather than allowing team captains to choose players so that certain students are not made to feel unappreciated.

The Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model is useful for creating inclusive conditions for learning as it encourages students to be “accountable for their own well-being and contributing to the well-being of others… both inside and outside the gymnasium” (Robinson & Randall, p.38). These are skills that can be acquired by all students, regardless of their physical limitations. The Fitness for Life model is another inclusive pedagogy, as it focuses on the “health for everyone with an emphasis on lifetime activity designed to meet their personal needs” (Robinson & Randall, p.42).

The TGfU Model is an inclusive practice as well, because it places the learner at the center of teaching. In this practice, the “needs, motivation, abilities, and developmental level of the student are fundamental to all decisions made by the physical educator” (Robinson & Randall, p.36). An inclusive teacher will take these considerations into account and adapt games in order to allow for the student’s full participation.

Overall, in order to create inclusive conditions for learners, teachers should incorporate ideas from all of the discussed models (as well as those that were not touched upon in my reflection). Learning is a multi-faceted concept and there are many different ways of knowing. Exploring different areas and approaches are crucial for meeting the needs of all learners.