A Level PE -Stages of Learning

PE A Level - Stages of Learning:

Fitts and Posner (1967) - 3 stages of Learning:

1. Cognitive <- The beginning phase
2. Associative <- Fault correct phase
3. Autonomous <- The automatic phase 

Characteristics of a Cognitive Stage Learner:

• People are new to the sports
• Actions have to be thought about before they’re done
• Mental image required 
• Known as the ‘trial and error’ phase <- practise
• Poor knowledge of sport/specific skill within the sport
• Diet not really given much thought
• Basic skill interpretation level
• Lack of communication 
• Can’t give intrinsic feedback
• Lots of gross errors made <- could become demotivated

Primarily a stage of gaining information about the skill model and organising the cognitive processes to produce a movement as close the the desired movement as possible

Characteristics of an Autonomous Stage Learner:

• Very few mistakes made <- would be minor
• High intensity training
• Determined
• Good knowledge of sport/specific skills
• Good communication skills
• Trains often
• Faster reaction time/decision making
• Specific training programme
• Skill specific training
• Diet
• Good leadership skills 
• Can give intrinsic feedback

The Cognitive Stage:

• Known as the ‘pre-practise phase’ 
• Demonstrations are very important w/ verbal explanations
• Visual guidance will help the learner develop a mental picture of the skill
• Verbal/Visual Cues can be used to ensure correct sequencing of movement
• Learner has a limited attention capacity so instructions are brief and to the point
• Mechanical Guidance is used to allow the learner to develop correct positioning for the skill being learnt
• Manuel Guidance used so that a coach can manipulate the learners limbs into the correct position
• Extrinsic (positive) feedback is needed to help the learner stay motivated and progress to the associative stage
• Extrinsic concurrent feedback (feedback received during performance) is useful at this stage, as being able to recall a previous…