5.3 Principles of skill learning

Question 1

Distinguish between learning and performance.

3.1

Answer 1

Learning- relatively permanent change in performance brought about by experience, excluding changes due to maturation and degeneration

Performance- temporary occurrence, fluctuating over time

• A change in performance over time is often used to infer learning

Question 2

Describe the phases (stages) of learning.

3.2

Answer 2

Early: Cognitive/Verbal

• Learning performances are inconsistent and success is not guaranteed
• Performing the skill requires all of the athlete’s attention -> they rely on the coach (or video) for cues
• A process of trial & error w/ a success rate of 2-3/10 attempts
• Correct performances must be reinforced through external feedback

Intermediate: Associative/Motor

• Performances are becoming more consistent as motor programmes are being formed
• While the simpler parts of the skill now look fluent and are well learned, the more complex elements requires most of the spare attention
• The athlete is starting to get a sense of internal ‘kinaesthetic’ feedback when they perform the skill well -> starting to detect & correct their own errors + success rate has risen to 5 -7/10

Final: Autonomous

• Performances have become consistent, fluid and aesthetically pleasing
• The motor programmes involved are well learned and stored in the long-term memory
• There is now spare attention which can be focused on opponents and tactics
• To retain the new skill at this level, it must be constantly practiced to reinforce the motor programmes.
• Success is now 9 out of 10.

Question 3

Outline the different types of learning curves.

3.3

Answer 3

Question 4

Discuss factors that contribute to the different rates of learning.

3.4

Question 5

Define the concept of transfer.

3.5

Answer 5

Transfer- influence of learning and/or performance of one skill on the learning and/or performance of another. If this influences a skill yet to be learned or performed it is called proactive transfer, if it influences the performance of a previous learnt skill it is called retroactive

Question 6

Outline the types of transfer.

3.6

Question 7

Outline the different types of practice.

3.7

Question 8

Explain the different types of presentation.

3.8

Question 9

Outline the spectrum of teaching styles.

3.9