Learning and Performance

Question 1

What are the 3 stages of learning?

Answer 1

• Cognitive stage
• Associative stage
• Autonomous stage

Question 2

Describe the cognitive stage of learning

Answer 2

• Skill learning goals are set and learning is begun
• The learner needs to know what to do
• *Mental picture of movement - from demonstration/visual
• *The performer tries to understand the requirements of the task
• Trial and error methods used
• Verbal guidance to highlight sequence
• Physical guidance - manipulate their limbs
• *Movement may lack fine control and appear uncoordinated as the performer may have to think and concentrate hard on the task to work out the necessary movements
• *Skill performance will look jerky

Question 3

Describe the associative stage of learning

Answer 3

• *The practice stage
• The learner has an overall picture of what is required but still makes mistakes
• Comparison of action with model
• Consistency and coordination improve rapidly, timing and anticipation improve
• Gross error detection and correction is practiced, detailed feedback is utilised
• Need encouragement for motivation
• *Movement becomes smoother and more controlled
• *Performance will be inconsistent as errors are still being detected

Question 4

Describe the autonomous stage of learning

Answer 4

• *The performer has reached an expert level of competence due to lengthy practice
• *Actions are automatic
• Highly skilled and consistent (habitual responses)
• Ability to detect and correct errors without help
• Can process information given by coach easily
• *The performance is smooth and efficient and is performed as one action, leaving lots of attention for use on finer elements of the skill or tactics of the game

Question 5

How does feedback change through the stages of learning?

Answer 5

Cognitive

• Positive
• Extrinsic
• General (gross errors)
• Knowledge of results

Autonomous

• Negative
• Intrinsic
• Specific (minor error)
• Knowledge of performance

Question 6

Describe the performance curve

Answer 6

• Performance is 0 as the skill is just being learned
• Early performance gains are substantial as the performer begins to learn the skill and rapid improvements and fewer mistakes are made
• The performer shows no improvement in performance, reaches a plateau
• Performance may even deteriorate over time