To what extent should practice methods be modified based on the characteristics of the learner and the nature of the skill being taught. In your response, refer to at least two different practice methods. (8 marks)
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Position Statement:
- Practice methods should be modified to a significant extent based on learner characteristics and skill nature.
- This extensive modification is justified by attention span differences, skill complexity variations, and physical demands.
Strongest Evidence:
- Learner characteristics fundamentally alter practice effectiveness.
- Children with short attention spans require distributed practice with frequent breaks, while motivated adults thrive with 45-minute massed sessions.
- Young tennis players need 10-minute skill blocks versus adults managing continuous practice.
- Skill nature equally demands major modifications.
- Open skills like basketball require random practice for decision-making development.
- Closed skills like golf putting need blocked practice for consistency.
- High-fatigue activities like sprinting mandate distributed practice regardless of learner type.
Limitations:
- Some standardised elements can remain consistent across learners.
- Basic safety protocols and fundamental movement patterns apply universally.
- However, these limited similarities are overshadowed by the need for individualisation.
- Even when teaching the same skill, a nervous beginner requires part practice while a confident learner benefits from whole practice.
- Physical maturity, prior experience, and cognitive ability create such diverse learning needs that significant modification becomes essential.
Reaffirmation:
- The evidence overwhelmingly supports significant practice modification.
- Coaches who extensively adapt methods based on learner traits and skill demands achieve superior outcomes.
- Therefore, practice methods must be modified to a significant extent, progressing from part/blocked for beginners to whole/random for advanced learners.
Show Worked Solution
Position Statement:
- Practice methods should be modified to a significant extent based on learner characteristics and skill nature.
- This extensive modification is justified by attention span differences, skill complexity variations, and physical demands.
Strongest Evidence:
- Learner characteristics fundamentally alter practice effectiveness.
- Children with short attention spans require distributed practice with frequent breaks, while motivated adults thrive with 45-minute massed sessions.
- Young tennis players need 10-minute skill blocks versus adults managing continuous practice.
- Skill nature equally demands major modifications.
- Open skills like basketball require random practice for decision-making development.
- Closed skills like golf putting need blocked practice for consistency.
- High-fatigue activities like sprinting mandate distributed practice regardless of learner type.
Limitations:
- Some standardised elements can remain consistent across learners.
- Basic safety protocols and fundamental movement patterns apply universally.
- However, these limited similarities are overshadowed by the need for individualisation.
- Even when teaching the same skill, a nervous beginner requires part practice while a confident learner benefits from whole practice.
- Physical maturity, prior experience, and cognitive ability create such diverse learning needs that significant modification becomes essential.
Reaffirmation:
- The evidence overwhelmingly supports significant practice modification.
- Coaches who extensively adapt methods based on learner traits and skill demands achieve superior outcomes.
- Therefore, practice methods must be modified to a significant extent, progressing from part/blocked for beginners to whole/random for advanced learners.