The Organisation of Practice

Question 1

What is WHOLE practice and when might it be used?

Answer 1

The skill is practiced in its ‘entirety’ and is NOT broken down into subroutines.

Used when:

• a kinaesthetic ‘feel’ is desirable,
• when the skill is hard to break down and if attempted would ruin the ‘fluency’ of the skill
• quicker than other methods
• used well with experts (autonomous learners) where they have mastered the basics.

Question 2

What is PART practice and when might it be used?

Answer 2

The skill is broken down into subroutines and each subroutine is practised separately.

Used when:

• the skill is low in organisation and can be easily broken down
• where the skill is dangerous
• with performers in the cognitive phase
• when parts of the skill are weak and require practice in an isolated way

Question 3

What is PROGRESSIVE PART practice and when might it be used?

Answer 3

The skill is broken down into subroutines and each subroutine is practised separately. The subroutines are practised in sequence eg. run up, take off, flight, landing

Used when:

• the skill is low in organisation and can be easily broken down
• where learning the first part of the skill will help the next part
• where the skill is dangerous
• with performers in the cognitive phase
• when parts of the skill are weak and require practice in an isolated way

Question 4

What is WHOLE-PART-WHOLE practice and when might it be used?

Answer 4

The skill is practised as a whole and weaknesses are identified. The skill is then broken down to the subroutines and the relevant parts are practiced. The skills is then ‘put back together’ and practised as a whole.

Used when:

• the skill is low in organisation and can be easily broken down but where kinaesthetic feel and fluency are still needed.
• with performers in the associative phase
• when parts of the skill are weak and require practice in an isolated way