5 - The Stages of Learning Flashcards
What are the 3 stages of learning?
The Cognitive Stage
The Associative Stage
The Autonomous Stage
Describe the Cognitive Stage of Learning?
- The performer begins to create a clear mental image of what the skill is supposed to look like.
- An accurate demonstration is necessary which the performer will copy.
- Mental rehearsal of the skill is required
- Many mistakes are made.
- The performer uses trial and error.
- Movements appear uncoordinated and jerky.
- The performer has to think about the skill: all their attention is placed on working out the main components of the skill.
- Motor programs are not yet formed.
What type of feedback is needed for the Cognitive Stage of Learning?
- The performer is reliant on extrinsic feedback from the coach to direct performance and highlight weaknesses.
- Feedback should be positive so that the performer will persevere with the learning process.
- Motor programmes are not yet formed.
Whats an example of the Cognitive Stage of Learning?
A hockey player who is initially learning to dribble will be very slow. Their movement will be jerky and they often lose the ball as a result of hitting it too hard. Their head will be down as they watch the ball intently. As they do not yet know how it supposed to feel, they rely on their coach for feedback. The coach will give various demonstrations and the learner will watch and work out each subroutine. They should constantly mentally rehearse dribbling in this phase.
Describe the Associative Stage of Learning?
- The performer must continue to practice.
- The performer models their current actions on those of skilled athletes.
- Some performers never progress beyond this stage.
- The performer becomes more proficient, making fewer mistakes.
- Movement appears smoother and more coordinated.
- The performer can begin to focus their attention on the finer aspects of the skill.
- Motor programmes are developing and will be stored in long-term memory.
- Demonstrations, positive feedback and mental rehearsal are still required to aid learning.
What type of feedback is needed for the Associative Stage?
- The performer begins to develop kinaesthesis and uses intrinsic feedback to correct movement. They will know how the movement is supposed to feel.
- Extrinsic feedback is still used to refine actions.
- The performer begins to use knowledge of performance.
What’s an example of the Associative Stage of Learning?
A gymnast on a beam will have practised and mastered the basic skills and will now be able to execute more complex movements. They can now use intrinsic feedback as they are beginning to become aware of how the movement should feel. They can now look up and forward rather than down at their feet.
Describe the Autonomous Stage of Learning?
- Movements are fluent, efficient and have become habitual due to the extensive practice.
- Skills are executed automatically, without consciously thinking about subroutines.
- Motor programs are fully formed and stored in the long-term memory.
- The performer can concentrate on fine detail, tactics and advanced strategies.
- It is still important to practice and mentally rehearse in order to stay at this level.
What type of feedback is needed for the Autonomous Stage of Learning?
- The performer uses intrinsic feedback to correct their own mistakes by means of Kinaesthesis.
- Extrinsic feedback can be negative to aid error correction.
- The performer uses knowledge of performance to understand why the action was successful or unsuccessful.
Give an example of the Autonomous Stage of Learning?
A basketball player will be able to dribble the ball fluently and consistently without having to look down at the ball. They are able to scan the court for passing options without concentrating on controlling the ball, as it is being controlled automatically. They can correct the errors they make immediately, without assistance from the coach.
