3.1.2.1 Skill, Skill Continuums and Transfer of Learning Flashcards
Skill
The learned ability to bring about a predetermined result using the minimum time of effort / both
Key Characteristics of a skill
Aesthetically pleasing, Consistent, Efficient, Fluent, Accurate, Controlled, Economical
Motor Skill
Involves movement
Perceptual Skill
Involves interpretation of sensory information = hitting, catching
Cognitive Skill
Involves thought
Gross Motor Skill
Requires the use of large muscle groups
Fixed Practice (Set Drills)
Used for closed skill practice but can also be used with open skills. The learner practices a set task without any changes
Variable Practice
Practice the same task in multiple different ways. This improves the schema of the learner
Massed Practice
The learner practices the skill for long periods of time without rest
Distributed practice
Practice is spread out over periods of time to work for short periods regularly
Advantages of massed practice
- a highly motivated performer can cope with long practice sessions
- a simple task can be learned in one session
- used in later stages of learning when the performer has a long attention span
- early stages of learning, through trial and error the performer can stumble across the correct response
Disadvantages of massed practice
- Tiring, tedious, boring
- May lead to tiredness or de-motivation and lack of drive
- Not enough correct movements may de-motivate
- Overuse can lead to injuries
Advantages of distributed practice
- Early stages when the performers may be easily fatigued
- High energy demands
- Varied practice sessions
- A complex skill can be broken down into multiple practice sessions
Disadvantages of distributed practice
- Learning can be lost in long rest periods
2. De-motivation if the performer realises successful completion will take multiple sessions
Mental Practice / Rehersal
Practising a skill without actual physical movement by imagining movements or performance
Advantages of mental practice
- Create a mental picture of required performance
- Helps the performer selectively attend on particular aspects of performance
- Can concentrate on faults
- Repeated visualisation can improve memory of desired performance
- Can improve confidence
- Achieve desired state of arousal for optimum performance
Disadvantages of mental practice
- Some performers can use it more effectively than others
- Some personalities can’t use it effectively
- Not easy to use in competitive situations
- Better to use with physical practice too not just on its own
Gross Skill
Involves the use of large muscle groups
Fine Skill
Involves the use of small muscle groups
Discrete Skill
Has a definite beginning and end point
Serial Skill
Several discrete skills joined together
Continuous Skill
Has no definite beginning or end point
Closed Skill
The environment is predicted, a self-paced skill
Open Skill
The environment is unpredictable, an externally-paced skill
Self-paced Skill
The timing of the movement is determined by the performer, closed skill
Highly organised skill
Cannot be broken down into parts because it has a high timing element
Transfer of Learning
The effect the learning of one task has on the performance of the second task
Positive Transfer
Learning of task 1 has a positive effect on learning of task 2
Negative Transfer
Learning of task 1 inhibits learning of task 2
Zero Transfer
No effect
Increasing Transfer
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
How to reduce Negative Transfer
- Increase the similarity between the practice and the game
- Make certain the basics are fully learned
- Increase the size and variability of the practice situation
- Make the performer aware that transfer is possible
- Make certain the performer understands what is expected
- Direct transfer of learning
