What is the Sport Education Model (SEM)?

SPORT EDUCATION MODEL (SEM)

(Siedentop, 1984)

1.  This model was developed and introduced by Daryl Siedentop in 1984
2. Sport Education is a curriculum and instruction model designed for delivery in physical education programs at the upper elementary, middle, and high school levels.
3. It is intended to provide children and youth with more authentic and enjoyable sport experiences than what it typically seen in past physical education classes.
4. Students participate as members of teams in seasons that are longer than the  usual physical education unit.
5. They take an active role in their own sport experience by serving in varied and realistic roles that we see in authentic sport settings such as captains, coaches, trainers, statisticians, officials, publicists, and members of a sports council.
6. Teams develop camaraderie through team uniforms, names, and cheers as they work together to learn and develop skill and tactical play (Siedentop, 1994).

The three major goals that guide program development in the SEM are for students to become competent, literate, and enthusiastic players (Siedentop, 1994).  This means that teachers must design learning experiences that facilitate students learning in realistic settings.  According to Siedentop (1994):

• A competent player has sufficient skills to participate satisfactorily, can execute strategies that are appropriate for the complexity of the game being played, and is a knowledgeable player.
• A literate player understands and values the rules, rituals, and traditions of sport, and is able to distinguish between good and bad sport practices in a variety of sport settings.
• An enthusiastic player is one who preserves, protects, and enhances the sport culture through participation, involvement, and appropriate behaviour.