3.1.2.1 Skill, Skill Continuums and Transfer of Learning

Question 1

Skill

Answer 1

The learned ability to bring about a predetermined result using the minimum time of effort / both

Question 2

Key Characteristics of a skill

Answer 2

Aesthetically pleasing, Consistent, Efficient, Fluent, Accurate, Controlled, Economical

Question 3

Motor Skill

Answer 3

Involves movement

Question 4

Perceptual Skill

Answer 4

Involves interpretation of sensory information = hitting, catching

Question 5

Cognitive Skill

Answer 5

Involves thought

Question 6

Gross Motor Skill

Answer 6

Requires the use of large muscle groups

Question 7

Fixed Practice (Set Drills)

Answer 7

Used for closed skill practice but can also be used with open skills. The learner practices a set task without any changes

Question 8

Variable Practice

Answer 8

Practice the same task in multiple different ways. This improves the schema of the learner

Question 9

Massed Practice

Answer 9

The learner practices the skill for long periods of time without rest

Question 10

Distributed practice

Answer 10

Practice is spread out over periods of time to work for short periods regularly

Question 11

Advantages of massed practice

Answer 11

1. a highly motivated performer can cope with long practice sessions
2. a simple task can be learned in one session
3. used in later stages of learning when the performer has a long attention span
4. early stages of learning, through trial and error the performer can stumble across the correct response

Question 12

Disadvantages of massed practice

Answer 12

1. Tiring, tedious, boring
2. May lead to tiredness or de-motivation and lack of drive
3. Not enough correct movements may de-motivate
4. Overuse can lead to injuries

Question 13

Advantages of distributed practice

Answer 13

1. Early stages when the performers may be easily fatigued
2. High energy demands
3. Varied practice sessions
4. A complex skill can be broken down into multiple practice sessions

Question 14

Disadvantages of distributed practice

Answer 14

1. Learning can be lost in long rest periods

2. De-motivation if the performer realises successful completion will take multiple sessions

Question 15

Mental Practice / Rehersal

Answer 15

Practising a skill without actual physical movement by imagining movements or performance

Question 16

Advantages of mental practice

Answer 16

1. Create a mental picture of required performance
2. Helps the performer selectively attend on particular aspects of performance
3. Can concentrate on faults
4. Repeated visualisation can improve memory of desired performance
5. Can improve confidence
6. Achieve desired state of arousal for optimum performance

Question 17

Disadvantages of mental practice

Answer 17

1. Some performers can use it more effectively than others
2. Some personalities can’t use it effectively
3. Not easy to use in competitive situations
4. Better to use with physical practice too not just on its own

Question 18

Gross Skill

Answer 18

Involves the use of large muscle groups

Question 19

Fine Skill

Answer 19

Involves the use of small muscle groups

Question 20

Discrete Skill

Answer 20

Has a definite beginning and end point

Question 21

Serial Skill

Answer 21

Several discrete skills joined together

Question 22

Continuous Skill

Answer 22

Has no definite beginning or end point

Question 23

Closed Skill

Answer 23

The environment is predicted, a self-paced skill

Question 24

Open Skill

Answer 24

The environment is unpredictable, an externally-paced skill

Question 25

Self-paced Skill

Answer 25

The timing of the movement is determined by the performer, closed skill

Question 26

Highly organised skill

Answer 26

Cannot be broken down into parts because it has a high timing element

Question 27

Transfer of Learning

Answer 27

The effect the learning of one task has on the performance of the second task

Question 28

Positive Transfer

Answer 28

Learning of task 1 has a positive effect on learning of task 2

Question 29

Negative Transfer

Answer 29

Learning of task 1 inhibits learning of task 2

Question 30

Zero Transfer

Answer 30

No effect

Question 31

Increasing Transfer

Answer 31

Increase similarity between practice and the game, make certain the basics are fully learned, increase the size of the practice situation, make the performer aware that transfer is possible

Question 32

How to reduce Negative Transfer

Answer 32

1. Increase the similarity between the practice and the game
2. Make certain the basics are fully learned
3. Increase the size and variability of the practice situation
4. Make the performer aware that transfer is possible
5. Make certain the performer understands what is expected
6. Direct transfer of learning