SE789-7-SP-CO:
Skill Acquisition: Theory and Application
2023/24
Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
11 October 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC C6S612 Strength and Conditioning,
MSC C6S624 Strength and Conditioning
Skill acquisition is commonly described as the voluntary control over movements in an attempt to solve motor skill problems and achieve a task goal.
These may vary from catching a ball or riding a bike, to slalom skiing or rhythmic gymnastics. Regardless of the domain, the interaction between the practitioner (e.g., coach) and athlete when learning these skills is absolutely fundamental to successful performance. Specifically, how can the practitioner create optimal practice conditions to facilitate skill acquisition? The module will firstly enhance your understanding of contemporary theory and research in skill learning and motor expertise. From this, the module takes on a more applied focus, where evidence-based approaches are synthesised to critically evaluate their effect on coaching practice.
This module will enhance your critical understanding of contemporary theory, research, and practice in skill learning and motor expertise in sport. The module will cover different evidence-based techniques to enable practitioners to apply this knowledge to facilitate skill acquisition in their athletes.
1. Identify and explain theories relating to learning, motor control and expertise in sport
2. Critically evaluate key concepts and research across the skill acquisition literature
3. Design and deliver strength and conditioning sessions in line with theoretical principles relating to the practice environment
4. Critically evaluate coaching practice
5. Coherently present and disseminate work in both written and oral format
Indicative syllabus:
The 3 'Ws' (what, why and who) of skill acquisition
Theories of learning
Theories of motor control
Understanding learning styles
When, what, and how of feedback
Focus of attention
Adaptive instructional design
Non-linear pedagogy
Representative practice design
Critical evaluation of coaching practice
Face-to-face = practical sessions (2 x 2.5-hours)
Online asynchronous = recorded lectures (10 x 1-hour)
Online synchronous = seminar to discuss biweekly topics (5 x 2hours: every other week to consolidate teaching content)
Online synchronous = drop-in sessions (2 x 1-hour)
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Practical Coaching Observation |
|
70% |
| Coursework |
Coaching Plan |
|
30% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Emily Cushion, email: emily.cushion@essex.ac.uk.
SRES Office, email: sres (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
No
No
No
Dr Thomas Ian Gee
University of Lincoln
Associate Professor in Strength and Conditioning
Available via Moodle
Of 18 hours, 12 (66.7%) hours available to students:
6 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.