Question

Have you have ever played a sport, played an instrument, or learned to type? Which of Fitt’s stages did you get to? Think about how you were taught and how you practiced. Discuss at least four principals from the unit, in relation to your training. Was your instruction optimal based on the science of skill learning? If so, how did this likely help you improve? If it was suboptimal, what were the likely consequences for your learning? How would you change the instruction based on what you know now?

If you cannot think of an example from your own, describe a skill you would like to learn and how you would go about learning that skill to optimize your learning and performance.

Answer 1

I have learned to play the violin. In retrospect, all of Fitt's stages were used. The first stage that is the cognitive stage, here the person is trying to figure out what has to be done. When learning a new sport or instrument or any other activity, one goes through this phase in order to identify what needs to be done and how it is to be done. In this stage one is conscious with regard to their cognitive activity because one is trying to control their movements. Here the individual employs the trial and error method where one tries to figure out which strategy works in order to develop a skill. Here one is aware of each step which requires attention. Once the learner acquires the basic skills then they move on to the next phase of learning that is associative learning. The movements here are more consistent that the earlier phase. some parts of the movement becomes automatic . After consistent practice the learner moves to the last stage that is the autonomous phase where the movements become fluent and effortless. So when i began to learn the violin i was conscious of each movement and the corresponding keys. After extensive practice the basic key notes became automatic. The skill acquired was optimal based, through constant practice one is able to refine their movements. The way i improved by skill was through delayed feedback: recording oneself and listening watching and listening to how the instrument is played helps a lot.