KIN 3210 Final Exam Study Guide

Define/explain massed practice

One long session

Define/explain distributed practice

Multiple short sessions (with breaks)

Illustrate massed practice with an example

Focus on one skill each day

Illustrate distributed practice with an example

Work on each skill for short sessions over several days

What is better? Massed or Distributed practice?

Distributed

What length of rest has been shown to enhance learning?

• Rest breaks of 4-12 hours on same day = small effects

• 24-hour break with sleep = larger effects

What are theories or explanations for why distributed practice enhances learning?

1. Higher quality practice

   • Shorter practice sessions with breaks = higher quality practice, more alertness, higher level of concentration, less mental and physical fatigue

2. Mental activity/thought during breaks

   • Breaks give you time for active/conscious mental rehearsal or thought

3. Brain activity during sleep

What are task progressions?

Having learners experience a sequence of tasks that move from easy to hard, or simple to complex

What is Transfer of Learning?

When practicing/learning one skill enhances the subsequent learning of another skill

Define part-to-whole practice

1. Spacing

2. Progressions

3. Interleaving

4. Mental Practice

Explain fractionation

Dividing a skill into parts that are normally performed at the same time

Explain segmentation

Dividing a skill temporally or sequentially

(1st part, 2nd part, 3rd part, etc)

What is forward chaining?

Start at beginning

1. Deadlift

2. Hang clean

3. Hang clean + push press

4. Deadlift

5. Deadlift + hang clean + push press

What is backward chaining?

Start at end

1. Push press

2. Hang clean

3. Hang clean + push press

4. Deadlift

5. Deadlift + hand clean + push press
   

Give an example of forward chaining

Washing Hands

1. Turning on the water

2. Getting soap

3. Scrubbing hands together

4. Rinsing hands

5. Turning the water off

6. Drying hands

Give an example of backward chaining

Math Solving

1. Have first few steps completed

2. Let the student complete the problem

3. Work on the first steps that were left out,

4. They can do it independently

Define/explain simplification

the learner practices the whole action/skill, but the difficulty begins at a low level and gradually increases

What is an example of simplification

Teaching a kid to catch a ball. Start with a larger ball, stand close to them, and throw it softly. Then as improved, you’d make the task harder such as using a smaller ball, move farther away

What is an example of simplification #2

An occupational therapist works with a stroke patient. She begins with putting on slip on slides, then closed back slippers. Slip on boots then shoes with velcro, then shoes with laces.

What types of variables can be changed to modify task difficulty?

Change the equipment such as size/shape/characteristic of the ball, change the distance/space/environment.

What is the the research study of Arias, Argudo, & Alonso (2012) on?

Effect of equipment modification on basketball game play in 9-11 year old boys. Research quarterly for exercise and sport

What is the research study by Hebert, Landin, & Solomon (2004) on?

The idea of modifying task difficulty and progressing learners from easier to harder tasks is a central idea of training. Two conceptually different approaches for task progression exist: part to whole practice and simplification practice.

Who created Schema Theory?

Richard Schmidt

What is a motor program?

A mechanism in the brain that specifies muscle commands

What is a generalized motor program?

A flexible motor program that produces a general movement and can be modified/adjusted to produce a number of similar actions

Explain the concepts of schema theory: Generalized motor program

Actions are controlled by generalized motor programs,

Explain the concepts of schema theory: Invariant features

One GMP controls one action that has invariant features: the general motion/movement pattern

Explain the concepts of schema theory: Class of actions

All actions that are controlled by the same GMP are in a class of action

Explain the concepts of schema theory: Parameters

In a specific situation, we use the GMP and adjust certain features (parameters) of it:

1. duration/speed of action

2. Force

3. Movement direction

4. Others specific to the action

Illustrate the concept for a generalized motor program

A flexible motor program that specifies/produces a general action

Illustrate the concept for invariant features

The motor program produces the same general action

Illustrate the concept for parameters

Ways I adjust/modify the motor program (action) to fit the task/situation

Illustrate the concept of class of actions

All movements controlled by the same motor program (use the same general movement)

Explain the performance of a motor skill from the Schema Theory Perspective: Generalized Motor Program

Walking

Explain the performance of a motor skill from the Schema Theory Perspective: Invariant features

Pick up your foot, move it forward, then under your body, then back. Alternate feet

Explain the performance of a motor skill from the Schema Theory Perspective: Parameters

• Length of step

• Speed of action

• Amount of force used

• Amount of forward lean

• Height of stepping

Explain the performance of a motor skill from the Schema Theory Perspective: Class of actions

• Walking various speeds

• Walking on various surfaces

• Climbing steps

• Running

• Bounding

• Elliptical trainer

• Exercise bike

According to dynamic systems theory, how does motion occur?

Your actions are being “controlled” or influenced by characteristics of the task, situation, and you

What are constraints?

Boundaries that have a bearing on an individuals movement capabilities

What are the 3 constraints in dynamic systems theory?

• Characteristics of the person

• Characteristics of the task

• Characteristics of the environment

Provide an example of how the environment might affect motion for a specific skill

When you ride a bike on level ground, you sit in a seat. But, when you get to a hill you stand up

Provide an example of how the person might effect motion for a specific skill

Running mechanics are different if you run with running shoes on or barefoot

Provide an example of how the task might effect motion for a specific skill

Throwing a frisbee and big rock, the actions will be different. You won’t throw the rock like a frisbee

Explain how we perform a motor skill from Dynamic Systems Theory perspective

Your actions are not a result of a program in your brain, your actions are being “controlled” or influenced by characteristics of the task, situation and you

What is an individual constrain?

A persons biological and functional characteristics. Examples include body characteristics (e.g, shape, height, weight, and body

What is environmental constrain?

Gravity, temperature, and natural light