Learning and Performance

What Learning and Performance covers

Learning and Performance is examined in Unit A2 2, The Application of Science to Sports Performance. It covers Fitts and Posner's stages of learning, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, transfer of learning, command, reciprocal, discovery and problem-solving teaching styles and learning plateaus and performance curves.

The 5 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

• Fitts and Posner's stages of learningThe cognitive, associative and autonomous stages, coaching each stage, attention at the autonomous stage, moving back through the stages, identifying a learner's stage and changing feedback.Open →
• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivationIntrinsic and extrinsic motivation, tangible and intangible rewards, when rewards backfire, raising intrinsic motivation, goal setting, beginners, over-motivation and combining both.Open →
• Transfer of learningPositive, negative, bilateral, retroactive, proactive and zero transfer, encouraging positive transfer, reducing negative transfer, realistic practice and fundamental movement skills.Open →
• Command, reciprocal, discovery and problem-solving teaching stylesThe command, reciprocal, discovery and problem-solving styles, their advantages and drawbacks, choosing a style, teaching a trampoline routine and matching styles to the stages of learning.Open →
• Learning plateaus and performance curvesLearning plateaus and their causes, boredom, helping a performer through a plateau, rest and goal setting, interpreting performance curves, drops after a plateau and preventing plateaus.Open →

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Take Learning and Performance further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

• Intrinsic motivation vs Extrinsic motivation

  Intrinsic motivation: drive coming from enjoyment and satisfaction within the performer. Extrinsic motivation: drive coming from rewards and praise given by others.

• Tangible reward vs Intangible reward

  Tangible reward: a physical prize such as a trophy or money. Intangible reward: a non-physical prize such as praise or recognition.

• Positive transfer vs Negative transfer

  Positive transfer: when learning one movement helps the learning of another. Negative transfer: when learning one movement hinders the learning of another.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What are Fitts and Posner's three stages of learning?

   Model answer

   Fitts and Posner described the cognitive, associative and autonomous stages in 1967. Learners pass through them as they practise.

2. 2

   What happens in the cognitive stage of learning?

   Model answer

   The learner tries to understand the skill and makes many errors. Movements are slow, jerky and inconsistent.

3. 3

   How should a coach help a learner in the cognitive stage?

   Model answer

   The coach should give simple instructions, clear demonstrations and positive feedback. Too much information overwhelms the learner.

4. 4

   What happens in the associative stage of learning?

   Model answer

   The learner practises and refines the skill, and errors become fewer. Movements are smoother but not yet automatic.

5. 5

   How should a coach help a learner in the associative stage?

   Model answer

   The coach should give more detailed feedback and set practice that refines technique. The learner begins to use internal feel.

6. 6

   What happens in the autonomous stage of learning?

   Model answer

   The skill is performed automatically, consistently and with little conscious thought. The performer can concentrate on tactics.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

Learning and Performance revision questions

What does Learning and Performance cover in CCEA A-Level Sports Science and the Active Leisure Industry?

5 subtopics: fitts and posner's stages of learning, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, transfer of learning, command, reciprocal, discovery and problem-solving teaching styles and learning plateaus and performance curves. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.

How is Learning and Performance organised?

By the CCEA 7210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.