Fitts and Posners Phases of Learning Essay Example for Free

Fitts and Posners Phases of Learning Essay Describe Fitts and Posners phases of learning and explain how you would structure practises to enhance a performance In this essay I will explain Fitts and Posners phases of learning and how I would structure practises to enhance performance. By practising a skill we can become better. Fitts and Posner theories were that everyone has to go through stages of learning, known as the cognitive, associative and autonomous stages of learning. Depending how good a person is at a particular sport, they will fall into a certain category. An example of this is Wayne Rooney. At a young age he was introduced to football and played amateur football from a young age, becoming one of the youngest strikers in football history. However by learning a skill in sport involves the development of skills by practice. An example of this is shooting practise you can only become good by practising to kick the ball in between goalposts. Until a person becomes confident enough that they score a goal, they will naturally fall into the next category. The three stages of learning can be divided into two main categories; associationists and cognitivists. Associationists views learning of a sport as the link of particular stimulus and particular responses. Cognitivists see it as a function of the brain, where we learn through the understanding and knowledge of the sport. There are 3 stages of learning according to Fitts and Posner. They are: Cognitive v Associative v Autonomous Cognitive This is the initial stage of learning and is essential if the learner is to process successful through the other stages and is to move a stage where the skill can be performed. The cognitive stage involves formation of a mental picture of a skill. The most efficient way is from a demonstration, which allows them to see the key requirements and to work through the performance mentally. Visual guidance is one of the best ways to make others understand, and so that the person learning can see the correct method to perform the skill. They will then attempt to perform. Success rate is usually 2/3 out of 10. The cognitive stage initially concentrates more on the skill, rather than the game. There is a lack of control and consistency. Trial and error is also a key way to learn. Reinforcement of this can be by giving positive feedback. Questions will arise when learning skills of a sport if the skill is not correctly learnt. The learner will be confronted with some very specific, cognitively oriented problems. Examples of this are, How do I score? What is the aim of this game? If so, where are the positions for players? If the mental picture is not correct the skill will not develop. It is important that the coach explains very thoroughly what is required of each athlete. Associative Learning at the associative stage means that the skill is becoming more consistent, but there are still some errors. The simple element of the skill has been grasped however the performer still refers back to the mental picture. The performer can begin to detect errors and begin to realise his/her mistakes. Feedback should encourage a feeling of a well performed skill. This means that the performer will begin to enjoy the sport. Success rate is 5/7 out of 10. Verbal guidance is essential as it is used in the associative stage. Some people never exceed this phase. An example of this is a semi-professional shot-put thrower. Some performers return to the cognitive stage to refer to the mental image of the skill. Also, some professional players return from autonomous stage to the associative stage if they have an injury they need to work hard and rise up to the expected standard of an autonomous performer. Autonomous Learning at the autonomous stage is where the skill is done without conscious thought. The movements of the performer are fluent, consistent and athletically pleasing. There is an advanced stage of learning where the elements of the skill have become part of long term memory and are automatically produced in response to a an appropriate stimulus. The skill is automatic. The attention of the performer focuses on the next movement, for example tactics. Consistent practise is required to reinforce being at the autonomous stage. Success rate is 9/10 out of 10. In tennis for example a player would be able to perform a serve whilst contemplating what their opponent will do next, rather than being focusing on the technical side of the serve. Not all performers reach the autonomous stage in all skills. For those who do, if practise is not maintained revision to the associative stage will occur. Closed skills such as throwing events can be finely tuned so that a high level of performance can be produced. Learning in its simplest form is the development of a position where we cant perform a skill to a stage where we can perform it. Knapp, 1973 The quote means that learning is a more or less permanent change in performance brought about by experience. Knapp is suggesting that once something is learnt, it remains with us, thus supporting the statement: Once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget. Learning in sport involves the development of skills through practice, hence the saying: Practice makes perfect. Fitts Posner recognised that as we learn, we do not move directly from cant to can. They suggest that the learning process is sequential we move through specific stages/phases as we learn. These stages are hierarchal, in other words each stage must be passed through before the next one is achieved. Ivan Pavlov was a scientist who conducted experiments on the response of dogs. He taught them that when a bell was rung, the dogs would learn to understand that it was time to eat. These findings link into Fitts and Posners phases of learning because a particular response with a stimulus can give a great benefit to sports performances. This approach can be used to mentally prepare the athlete for the sport. The player may be taught switching into the zone whilst walking onto the pitch. However in order to achieve this, the player would need to gradually progress to that level of conditioned stimulus. In order to teach and improve somebodys skills at a sport, I would structure a 6 week Personal Exercise Programme (or PEP). A PEP would help improve the skill of the performer, and help the learner to enhance their performance. This way the performer can test to see how long it takes him to master one specific skill. As a trainer I would encourage the performer and give feedback and give a clear understanding to the performer what they are doing right and wrong. Doing something wrong doesnt mean its negative feedback it would just acknowledge the performer on how to improve, becoming more successful. I would ensure that the performer practices the skill consistently and monitor any improvements in their ability. In a professional football match I would help keep the players to the standard that is required by making them do drills as a team. Warm-ups are essential as they prevent muscles getting damaged. I would also make sure that the stamina of the players is always high; this can be achieved by the Cooper run. In a tennis match the athlete must be able to complete a full match. There are no substitutions so the athletes stamina must be high. By hitting a ball for a long period of time every other turn there must be a large amount of upper body strength. In order to help the athlete achieve this, the coach should set the athlete physical training such as sprints, press-up, sit-ups and bicep curls. Technique is needed when serving, volleying; as being able to retain balance quickly is essential. An example of this is Andre Agassi. he focused more on physical conditioning than in the past and became one of the fittest players on the tour. His upper-body strength allowed him to bench press 350 lb (159 kg), which helped him retain pace on his shots late into a match, as well as adding to his serve power. He had remarkable endurance and rarely appeared tired on court. Golf is a sport where the athlete has to be very concentrated on the game. Having a perfect technique allows one to compete to a high level. In order to help raise concentration levels the coach must remove all apprehension and put the athlete in a confident frame of mind. To help an athlete raise concentration before a game the coach could give the athlete a structured diet. Junk food will slow down the concentration rate. Tiger Woods had a bad putting strike so he went home and perfected it. Well, thats one of the worst putting weeks Ive had in a long time, very frustrating. When I get home I am going to practise until I get it right. References: * Advanced P.E for Edexcel Heinemann * http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/pavlov/readmore.html. * http://www.answers.com/topic/andre-agassi * http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=410149

Manic Depression :: essays research papers

Manic depression is an illness that affects how people think, feel, and act. These people have really extreme episodes of mania (highs) and depression (lows.) It happens to about 1% of the population, both equally in men and women. When the person is going through a manic episode they have lots of energy, talk fast, jumping from topic to topic. Also, their thoughts are racing, they have a higher self-esteem, and have more enthusiasm. They also may not need as much sleep. During this time, the person feels normal and they are not aware that they’re behaviors may not be normal. They almost feel if the are “on top of the world.';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A depression episode on the other hand is almost opposite of a manic one. During a depressive episode, the person is sad, irritable, has low self-esteem, negative thoughts, and loss of interest in usual activities. They feel like they’re worthless and hopeless. They also have negative thoughts towards the past and future. Many people go through guilt, crying, or having suicidal thoughts. Unlike a manic episode, the person has lack of energy, and either an appetite loss or gain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Manic depression is a recurrent illness, so a person usually has more than one episode. These episodes can last from weeks to months. They occur whenever and have no certain pattern. Sometimes a stressful life event can trigger an episode, and sometimes they just happen. If a person has more than four episodes a year they are known as “rapid cyclers';. This is more common in women.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is no exact reason for what causes manic depression, but some doctors say that it may be from imbalances of certain kinds of brain chemicals.

Wide Awake

Literary devices are often used in pop songs to give off a certain mood or setting. Katy Perry uses repetition, imagery, allusion and alliterations in her song â€Å"Wide Awake† to explain how an event can cause a person to grow or change in perspective. Changing how they see someone or something and change how they feel about things. By using these devices it created a realization and regretful mood and tone to her song. This makes her song personal and emotional which allows many people to relate and therefore sells songs. You will find that majority of stars out there choose deep and meaningful things to sing about to sell more albums. One way she created the mood of her song Wide Awake was by using repetition. In the very beginning she states that she's wide awake, meaning that she has come to realize her mistakes and is seeing things from a different point of view now after the fact. Also she repeats falling from cloud nine throughout the song as well. Falling from cloud nine is a figure of speech saying that she was in love and happy but then she fell out of love (falling from cloud nine) and became heartbroken. Falling from cloud nine isn't necessarily considered a good thing and that's exactly what she was saying. Using repetition to create a mood for the song and to hook the listeners into listening to the story behind of the song. Another way she added meaning to her song was by using Imagery. In almost every song that there is there is some sort of imagery warped into it. Because without some sort of story line or description the song wouldn't be any good or entertaining and people wouldn't want to listen to it. In Katie's song she creates the image of thunder rumbling and castles crumbling. That creates a picture in your head of the actual emotion that she's feeling. Describing her heart break like the cracks and loud booms of thunder during storm, a storm like the break up she's going through. And also describing the same thing with an old castle that's finally worn down and falls apart. Lastly I want to talk about the overall meaning of the song. Throughout the song Katy puts in several literary devices as the ones in the paragraphs above but the entire song itself is just a huge metaphor. In the chorus of her song she says â€Å"Gravity hurts, you made it so sweet till I woke up on the concrete. † Majority of her song revolves around these lyrics. Because she's comparing her break up and her realization of what went wrong to earth's gravity. Which states whatever goes up must come down, just like her love for him whoever he is had to come to an end eventually and that hurts. In the end all songs are made up different combinations of literary deices and descriptions of real life feelings. these were just some examples using the famous Katy Perry's most recent song. Songs are just really long poems that speak the truth about life itself and how can you create a poem without structure? You can't, and that's why we use literary devices to build a structure for our writing.

Gift-Giving Guide for College Students

Gift-giving as a college student can be complicated. Of course, youd love to treat all of your friends and family to big, beautiful gifts ... but your budget and time restrictions often prevent doing so. What options are there, then, for college students who want to give great gifts without seeming cheap or lazy? Gifts Based on Recipients Great Gifts for Your College Boyfriend or Girlfriend. Its hard to come up with a meaningful, reasonably priced, personal gift for your significant other.Gifts for a College Roommate. A college roommate is like no one else; after all, what other person knows so much about you, puts up with your ridiculousness, and lets you eat their cereal when youre meal plan runs out? Whether its for a roommate birthday or the holidays, make sure you get something unique for this important person in your life.General Gift Ideas for Moms. Be it for Mothers Day or her birthday, getting a gift for Mom  is a must-do. Dont forget to make a phone call if youre away at school on the big day, too!Gifts for Your Siblings. You may have been incredibly close to your siblings before you left for school, or you may have been glad to have them no longer annoying you at the dinner table. Either way, forgetting a gift for your sibling can be an unforgivable offense! Gifts Based on Situations Low-Cost Gift Ideas. Regardless of whom your gift is for, it needs to fit within your budget. Thoughtful low-cost gifts will make you look anything but cheap.Last-Minute Gift Ideas. Alright, so your friends/roommates/brothers birthday totally sneaked up on you. Last-minute gift ideas based on someones hobby or creative outlet can help cover your oops-I-nearly-forgot tracks.Unique Valentines Day Gifts. With so much hype, it can be hard to come up with gift ideas for Valentines Day that are original and inexpensive.College Graduation Gift Ideas. Graduation season can get so chaotic that its easy to forget to get a college graduation gift that adequately celebrates this major milestone.