Variability in Practice Week 3 Seminar

Why does the ecological approach suggest that variability in practice leads to better self-organisation of movement?

The movements are more adaptable to varying environmental conditions and so a skilled performance outcome is more consistent 

What is Elaborative Processing

Random practice forces learner into more elaborate processing- inter-task comparisons  - putting new knowledge with existing

More elaborate information processing results in more comprehensive and readily retrievable motor programs  

• Interval prior to next movement trial is a time when inter-task comparisons are made and elaboration occurs  

What is meant by forgetting re-construction?

Previously constructed action plan was more likely to be available in working memory during blocked practice.  

Random practices force learner to abandon action plan as they perform a different task on the next trial.

• requires learner to actively reconstruct the action plan because they must perform different task on the next trial.  

Reconstruction of the action plan likely occur in the interval prior to the next movement trial.  

What is Random Learning?

various forms of learning that are not organised or involve communication not designed to bring about learning

What is blocked learning?

Focusing on one skill repeatedly before moving to the next producing fast short-term gains but weaker long-term retention compared to interleaving. 

What is constant learning?

Ongoing process of regularly acquiring and developing knowledge and skills throughout. 

What did Shea and Morgan discover?

They discovered blocked practice was more effective for immediate performance, while random practice was more effective for long-term retention. 

• The importance in varying practice for better retention and the concept of distributed practice which advocates studying across short-term rather than cramming.  

What is Contextual Interference?

Interference between skills when practicing multiple skills  

• A well-established idea in motor learning, inverse relationship in between practice performance and learning- more errors in practice= better performance in retention and transfer tests  

How is contextual interference analysed?

Works by functional magnetic resonance imagery assessing brain in blocked by tapping fingers-random tapping movement prepares areas of the brain more than blocked tapping. 

What is a distinctive hypothesis?

Contrast between the tasks in random practice leads to more durable memories

What is a forgetting and reconstruction hypothesis?

Less planning of movement required in blocked practice. Increased planning leads to better retention

Why does blocked practice generally result in better acquisition performance outcomes than random practice during the learning stage?

When acquisition/early performances differences exist between individuals who practice according to blocked or random schedules, advantage always favours the blocked group. Only rarely does random practice exceed blocked practice in acquisition performances outcomes  

Why does random practice tend to produce better retention and transfer test results compared to blocked practice?

Learning differences between individuals who practice according to block and random schedules, advantage favours the random practice group in tests of retention and transfer.