Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI)

• The students can be assessed on their performance using the GPAI.  The GPAI provides the teacher a means of observing and coding performance behaviors.  It includes assessment on the ability to solve tactical problems in games by making decisions, moving appropriately, and executing skills. (Griffin et. al., 1997)

• The teacher can begin by using the GPAI and assessing the students themselves.  Hopefully the teacher will be able to progress so that the students can assess each other using the GPAI.

The GPAI is a good tool for teachers to use to observe and read game performance behaviors of their students. It consists of breaking the class up into pairs and each student receives a worksheet with the GPAI criteria for the particular skill being evaluated. Then, while one partner is playing the other records his/her partners game performance and behaviors. These behaviors consist of:

1. Decision making- player attempts to pass to an open teammate
2. Skill execution- passing, shooting, control
3. various- player appeared to support the ball carrier by moving to open space

Each behavior is further broken down into: appropriate/inappropriate(Decision making) and efficient/inefficient(skill execution). As the one partner is playing, the other partner observes and checks the appropriate columns of the skill behavior.

Each student evaluating can also observe individual skills that the performer is performing as well. This is another benefit of the GPAI:

Base- appropriate return of performer to a home or recovery position between skill attempts
Adjust- movement of performer, either offensively or defensively, as required by the flow of the game
Decision making- making appropriate choices about what to do with the ball (or projectile) during a game
Skill execution- efficient performance of selected skills
Support- off-the-ball movement to a position to receive a pass when player's team has possession
Cover- providing defensive help for player making a play on the ball or moving to the ball (or projectile)
Guard or mark- defending against an opponent who may or may not have the ball (or projectile)

Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) (Hopper, 2002)

Teaching Instruction

• The Time on Task recording sheet can be an effective tool for teacher observation.  This tool identifies how the teacher uses their time in class with regards to talking, management/organization, and student engagement.  This tool could also be used as something for a student to do, if they are not participating on the day.

Time on Task recording Sheet (Hopper, 2002)

• Another observational tool that can be used is the one that reflects how a teacher was prepared an organized during the class.  It observes criteria such as use of space, formations and groups, behaviour, organizing the equipment, and organizing for safety.

Organizational Skills Sheet (Hopper, 2002)