Design and Use of Task Cards in the Reciprocal Style of Teaching

Abstract

Task cards are instructional tools that combine a picture of a skill with written instructions about how to perform the skill. This article provides practical guidelines for developing research-based task cards for use in physical education classes. Fitness-related motor skills are used as examples to clarify design principles for task cards. The article also discusses the use of task cards in Mosston and Ashworth's reciprocal style of teaching. In this style of teaching, one learner completes a motor task (the doer), while the other observes (the observer) and provides feedback based on the information presented on the task card. Directions to successfully implement task cards in a progressive manner within reciprocal learning settings are presented, as well as ideas about how motor, cognitive, and social goals in physical education can be achieved through task card use.