Measuring Learning Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is motor learning
The process of acquiring the capability for producing skilled actions
Direct result of practice
Can’t be observed, inferred
Relatively permanent
How is learning inferred
Measurable:
- improvement
- consistency
- persistency
- adaptability
How does a performance curve work
Y axis - performance measure e.g error score if points tally
X axis - time over which performance is measured e.g series of trials
How does a linear curve usually look
Negatively accelerated
Performance improves rapidly then tails off
Explain the positively accelerated curve
Takes a lot of practice before improvement
What can effect performance curves
Measurement system or design if study
Explain how curves can be used to measure improvement and consistency
Can measure SD of scores
Can be consistently bad or good
Often consistently bad, then bigger spread, then consistently good
Explain scoring sensitivity
What is considered an error
It may look like not a lot if the measurement is very lenient
How can outcome measures effect
Is your measure a yes/no or is it more detailed
Need a sensitive system to see the process of improvement
What are the issues with performance curves
- practice may cause fatigue
- improvement may not be permanent
- averages mask actual trends
- age effects
- floor and ceiling effects
(Ceiling = very lenient, everyone does well)
(Floor = too difficult)
Explain plateaus in performance curves
May be interpreted as no learning
However this is only a plateau in performance
What is a transfer test
Examines adaptability element of performance
Change environment or situation
What is a retention test
Examine perminence
After a period of rest
What should be considered when designing learning experiments
Much groups
Sensitivity of measurements
Practice amount and type
retention and transfer tests including appropriate retention period. 
