Tee it Up!: Implementing a TPSR system in a high school golf unit

TL;DR: Hellison's teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR) level system was implemented in a high school physical education golf unit by using golf scoring terminology that corresponds to the various level systems of behavior as discussed by the authors.

Abstract: StrategieS 21 What educator wouldn’t like to teach a class where students consistently demonstrate personal and social behavior that respects self, the wellbeing of others and the learning environment? This quest to create a class environment where students are responsible for and display appropriate personal and social responsible behavior is a common theme in many educational settings. The desire for students to acquire affective skills is so great that teaching appropriate student behavior in physical education is identified as one of the six National Standards for Physical Education (NASPE, 2004). For example, the importance of teaching affective skills is stressed by Heidorn and Welch (2010), who suggested that physical education teachers “should intentionally devote time in the curriculum to teaching affective goals such as teamwork, cooperation, and respect for self and others.” The authors continue by stating “teachers should hold students responsible for tasks related to the affective domain” (p.16). Implementing Hellison’s “Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility” (TPSR) system can help students take responsibility for their own behavior by helping students understand what it means to demonstrate appropriate behavior at various levels of responsibility. The levels range from zero through five and include: 0) irresponsibility, 1) respect, 2) participation, 3) self-direction, 4) caring, and 5) transferring of all skills to other places and situations. The TPSR system is very versatile as it can be developed for age appropriateness at all grade levels and can be modified and used with all types of physical education activities (Hellison, 2011). Rink, Hall, & Williams, (2010) believed that successful performance of physical activity requires not only motor skills for game/sport play but also the “personal and social skills needed for performing those skills while interacting with others.” The authors maintained that Hellison’s TPSR is helpful in teaching students to become more aware and to take responsibility for their own behavior and the wellbeing of others by “defining for them just exactly what is responsible behavior.” For example, the TPSR level system was successfully implemented in elementary physical education class by asking students to describe what behaviors need to occur at each level during the task of selecting equipment (Masser, 1990). Lavay, Alexander, & Lawerence (2008) also achieved student success by implementing Hellison’s TPSR levels as part of a tri-fold display board. The tri-fold board system serves as a visual and portable class management system for both physical education and adapted physical education teachers who typically do not have the traditional use of classroom walls. In addition to verbal reminders from the teacher, the tri-fold board provides students with additional opportunities to learn the expected behaviors by supplying a consistent posted visual display of each responsible behavior. The purpose of this article is to provide an example of how the TPSR leveling system was implemented in a high school physical education golf unit by using golf scoring terminology that corresponds to the various level systems of behavior. The participating classes were three 10th – 12th grade physical education classes with an average of 41 students per class. The design of a golf unit required careful planning because of the large number of participants and increased safety awareness that is required while first learning to play golf. Additional planning considerations for the golf unit included the student’s ability to demonstrate self-control, follow instructions the first time, be self-motivated to participate, work independently, resist peer pressure, and demonstrate concern for the safety of others. This article will provide the reader with information for successful implementation of the TPSR system including: the completed Tee it Up! scorecard, the strategies for motivating positive student behavior, and a reflection of the benefits and challenges of implementing a TPSR system in a high school golf unit.