Stages of Learning

Question 1

what are the three stages of learning?

Answer 1

stage 1: cognitive stage
stage 2: associative stage
stage 3: autonomous stage

Question 2

what is learning?

Answer 2

a relatively permanent change in behaviour due to past experiences = measure through performance

Question 3

describe stage 1 of learning

Answer 3

stage 1: cognitive stage (15%)

• ‘thinking’ stage
• earliest stage of learning = lots of trial and error (beginner trying out all movements)
• lacks fluency + jerky movements

Question 4

what type of feedback should be used for stage 1 of learning?

Answer 4

lacks fluency/ jerky:
e.g. footballer has a go at shooting + learns from mistakes

mental pictures = visualisation:
e.g. tennis player thinks about movements before a serve

e.g. hockey player relies on coach to tell her how to hit the ball effectively

extrinsic + simple + positive feedback should be used

Question 5

describe stage 2 of learning

Answer 5

stage 2: associative stage (70%)

• ‘practice’ stage
• motor programmes are formed
• compares + associates movements produced w/ mental image
• learner is more aware of environmental cues
• improve fluency + less jerky movements = less mistakes

Question 6

what type of feedback should be used for stage 2 of learning?

Answer 6

reinforce motor programmes:
e.g. player will practice a drop shot repeatedly in badminton

less jerky/ more fluent:
e.g. gymnast shows fluent movements in routine = score higher

practice:
e.g. rugby player attempts to drop kick + see whether demo matches/ is correct

1. intrinsic = knowledge of performance (kinaesthetic)
2. extrinsic = knowledge of results (external feedback)

Question 7

describe stage 3 of learning

Answer 7

stage 3: autonomous stage (15%)

• ‘expert’ stage
• movements are automatic (very lil conscious thought + spare attention capacity for other things)
• distractions are largely ignored + concentrate on peripheral cues + environmental cues (e.g. players around them)
• movements are habitual + fluent
• need to keep continuously referring back to associative stage to stay in this stage

e.g. netball shooter habitually shoots to score points = successful in game

Question 8

what type of feedback should be used for stage 3 of learning?

Answer 8

1. intrinsic feedback (knowledge of performance)
   e. g. golfer cal alter her style of swing during a drive
2. negative + extrinsic feedback from coach assists fine tuning
3. small improvements in style or form (final stage)
   e. g. tennis serve can be hit harder/spun diff/ placement is better

Question 9

how can a coach ensure that training meets the needs of those in the cognitive stage?

Answer 9

• use demos
• incorporate mental practice into training sessions
• clear, simple, positive feedback (external/ extrinsic)