Motor-Skill Learning

Motor-Skill Learning

Motor-Skill Learning

This week’s assignment takes 3 days, so you will need to get started ASAP! It should be a fun learning experience though. I think many of us forget what it’s like to really learn a motor task, so this activity helps us experience what it is like for children and others who are learning those tasks. Enjoy! I look forward to reading through how this went for everyone. I usually always get some interesting responses about after-effects, etc. of this process. 

I also want to stress that you will need to read from the book about the theory of motor-skill learning that is the best fit: Adam’s Two-Stage Theory, Schmidt’s Schema Theory and Battig’s Contextual Interference Theory. The discussion of open and closed loop movements are simply TYPES of motor skills, not theories. So be careful with that. 

Good luck this week and happy tracing!

Assignment 1: Discussion—Motor-Skill Learning

Motor learning leads to a relatively permanent change in physical movements and activity of a person. This type of learning is related to acquiring processes needed for complex movements like speaking or playing the piano, which often start out as very difficult but through practice, they become much smoother and accurate. Additionally, motor-skill learning plays an important role in interpreting simple movements, such as reflexes, as the body and environment change. Therefore, though we may not be completely aware of motor learning as it takes place, it is a vital area of learning that is related to almost everything we do.

Complete the Motor Training Activity at the following link:

Based on the activity, address the following:

  • Discuss your outcome with this activity. What did you learn about motor learning?
  • Based on your readings, identify which theory of motor-skill learning best fits this activity. Why do you consider it to be the best fit?
  • Apply what you have learned during this activity to a real-life learning experience, either for yourself, or for someone you are teaching.

Write your initial response in 2–3 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

By Friday, October 25, 2013, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area.

Grading Criteria and Rubric

All discussion assignments in this course will be graded using a rubric. Download the discussion rubric and read it carefully to understand the expectations.

Discussion Grading Criteria


    Use the Respond link to post responses and materials that pertain to this assignment. Use the Respond link beneath any existing postings to respond to them.