02: Stages of Learning

Question 1

What are the three stages of learning?

Answer 1

1- Cognitive
2- Associative
3- Autonomous

Question 2

Describe characteristics of the cognitive stage of learning

Answer 2

• Earliest stage
• performer understands what needs to be done
• lots of trial & error
• successful movements can be reinforced by performers experiencing success or being told by their teacher that it was successful
• performers should understand why failure occurred in order to avoid the same experience
• may use demonstrations or other methods of guidance

Question 3

Describe characteristics of associative stage of learning

Answer 3

• Performer practices, compares or associates movements produced with mental image. Stage at which feedback occurs and learner gradually becomes more aware of increasingly subtle and complex cues. Vast improvement in performance usually occurs, Motor programmes formed at this stage although not ‘grooved’ yet.

Question 4

Describe characteristics of autonomous stage of learning

Answer 4

• Movements become almost automatic, with very little conscious thought. Distractions are largely ignored and performers concentrate on more peripheral strategies and tactics. Motor programmes are completely built.

Question 5

Exam Question: What happens in associative stage to enable some performers to move to autonomous stage? (6)

Answer 5

1. Practice/ repetition occurs
2. Compares/ matches performance with mental image/ ideal model
3. Performer gets feedback from coach/ starts to use intrinsic feedback
4. Performer becomes more aware of environment/ cues/ requirements
5. Motor programmes are formed
6. Coach will have used verbal/ visual guidance to refine skill

Question 6

Exam Question: Describe characteristics of a cognitive learners performance, with reference to a table tennis player

Answer 6

1. Lots of trial & error trying out different shots/ holding the bat
2. Need lots of help from coach to tell what went wrong with a serve
3. Won’t be able to think about extra tactics/ only focus on skill
4. Player will have to think about how to perform the serve
5. Players movements when returning a serve will lack fluency
6. Motor programmes start to form for a serve
7. Needs to create a mental image of how to serve
8. Serve will be inconsistent

Question 7

Give practical example of cognitive stage of learning

Answer 7

• A novice badminton player needs to understand serve, teacher could demonstrate correct technique and highlight important points so that player builds up a mental picture of what needs to be done