Using basic biomechanics to support observation, assessment and progression of learning

This practical demonstration will explore how to use basic biomechanics to support observations, assessment and progression. The purpose of examining and exploring basic biomechanics is to enable everyone to be able to ’see’ and to see more clearly.

The best way to explain observations is like a big game of ’Pairs’. For those of you unfamiliar with the card game of Pairs, it is very simple children’s card game in which you can play individually or you can take turns to turn over cards and the idea is to find two identical objects as quickly as possible. With observing you’re essentially trying to compare the movement you’re seeing to the ’pair’ on your criteria or listing of how the successful movement should be. Observing human movement and unpicking how and what has just happened, if it meets the criteria of the movement and how to challenge and move the performer on, so they understand what they just did to help support their own evaluation and success is one of the most exciting and also most rewarding parts of human movement, physical activity, physical development, Physical Education and sport.

The practical demonstration will consider the big questions – ’what to observe?’, ’does it look right?’, ’how do I know?’ It will consider how photographs, video can be used to support the observation and analysis process, as well as sharing structured observations for individuals as well as groups and consider how to plan for next steps within the learning. It will also observe equipment and share how observing equipment will support the movement analysis of individual children as well as groups. Within the practical demonstration a consideration of language will also be explored and how positive challenges can be used to support young children learning.