Skills Aquisition - Stages Of Learning

Question 1

Why are the stages of learning useful?

Answer 1

• to identify levels of understanding that each stage represents so we can create successful teaching strategies
• teachers/coaches can then choose the right approaches/practices to suit the relevant stage in the performers learning process

Question 2

What is the cognitive stage of learning?

Answer 2

• the earliest stage of learning, the performer understands what needs to be done
• use of trial and error
• successful movements can be reinforced by feeling success or being told they’re successful
• unsuccessful movements should be dismissed
• the performer should understand why failure occurred

Question 3

What is the associative stage of learning?

Answer 3

• the performer practices movements with the mental image
• feedback occurs, the learner becomes aware of complex cues
• a vast improvement of performance occurs
• motor programmes are formed but skills have not yet been groove

Question 4

What is an example of someone in the associative stage?

Answer 4

A tennis player has become a competent server but is inconsistent at times and the quality of their serves vary

Question 5

What is the autonomous stage of learning?

Answer 5

• the final stage
• movements are automatic with very little conscious throught
• any distractions are largely ignored, the performer concentrates on peripheral strategies
• motor programmes are completely formed in the long-term memory
• some performers never reach this stage.
• to stay in this stage performers must continually refer back to the associative stage to ensure motor programmes are reinforced

Question 6

What is a practical example of a cognitive stage learner?

Answer 6

• a novice badminton player needs to understand the serve
• her teacher demonstrates the correct technique and highlights important cues
• the player then builds up a mental picture of what needs to be done
• the visualisation of the moment is more effective if the teaching is simple, clear and concise

Question 7

What is an example of an individual at the associative stage of learning?

Answer 7

• the novice badminton player is now aware of what needs to be done for the serve and has tried various strategies
• her serve is more consistent
• she is concentrating on getting the serve lower
• the teacher gives feedback
• the performer is starting to detect and correct errors even without the teachers help

Question 8

What is an example of a learner in the autonomous stage?

Answer 8

• the badminton player is now confident and consistently serves accurately with minimum thought
• she can use more sophisticated strategies
• she can take into consideration more peripheral cues

Question 9

What ways can a coach help a cognitive leaner move from this stage to the associative stage?

Answer 9

1. Positive feedback of successful movement
2. Allow lots of practice or time for trial and error
3. Helps learner understand what went wrong during unsuccessful movement
4. Demonstrations and visual guidance
5. Verbal guidance to highlight relevenat cues

Question 10

How could a coach help a performer move from the associative stage to the autonomous stage?

Answer 10

1. Provide detailed feedback
2. Increase practice difficulty
3. Practicing skills so they become grooved or overlearned
4. Encourage tactical awareness