Explain how the nervous system facilitates skill development in a learner progressing from the cognitive to autonomous stage of learning. (5 marks)
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Sample Answer
- During the cognitive stage, extensive conscious processing occurs in the cerebral cortex.
- This causes high brain activity as learners think through each movement component.
- Beginners consciously process instructions, leading to jerky, uncoordinated movements requiring significant effort and concentration.
- Initial learning therefore requires substantial neural resources and mental fatigue occurs quickly.
- As practice continues, neural pathways strengthen through myelination.
- Faster signal transmission and more efficient neural connections between neurons occur because of this structural change.
- Movements become smoother as motor programs develop in the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
- The brain requires less energy because established pathways fire more efficiently.
- Repetition consequently creates neural efficiency and reduces cognitive load.
- In the autonomous stage, movements become largely automatic.
- Established motor programs require minimal conscious control from the prefrontal cortex, which enables this automaticity.
- Skilled performers execute complex movements while focusing on tactics and strategy.
- Neural adaptation thus enables automatic performance, freeing cognitive resources for higher-level thinking.
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Sample Answer
- During the cognitive stage, extensive conscious processing occurs in the cerebral cortex.
- This causes high brain activity as learners think through each movement component.
- Beginners consciously process instructions, leading to jerky, uncoordinated movements requiring significant effort and concentration.
- Initial learning therefore requires substantial neural resources and mental fatigue occurs quickly.
- As practice continues, neural pathways strengthen through myelination.
- Faster signal transmission and more efficient neural connections between neurons occur because of this structural change.
- Movements become smoother as motor programs develop in the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
- The brain requires less energy because established pathways fire more efficiently.
- Repetition consequently creates neural efficiency and reduces cognitive load.
- In the autonomous stage, movements become largely automatic.
- Established motor programs require minimal conscious control from the prefrontal cortex, which enables this automaticity.
- Skilled performers execute complex movements while focusing on tactics and strategy.
- Neural adaptation thus enables automatic performance, freeing cognitive resources for higher-level thinking.