Promoting Physical Activity beyond Physical Education by Facilitating Student-designed Games

Abstract

The conceptual role of the physical education specialist has expanded from that of the creator and disseminator of physical education curricula, to that of a comprehensive physical activity coordinator for the school. The coordinator's responsibilities usually include providing increased opportunities for students to be physically active during the school day and also to encourage the students to pursue physical activity when away from the school environment. The authors of this article advocate for educating the students in the use of student-designed games as a means of motivating them to increase physical activity experiences during their “free time” away from school. A rationale for the use of student-designed games is provided, along with a discussion of the basic constructional components of student-designed games. Examples of what student-designed game experiences look like in a teacher-centered learning environment are provided, and the transference to a more student-centered learning environment is explained.