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Allowing learners to choose: self-controlled practice schedules for learning multiple movement patterns.

Will F W Wu¹, Richard A Magill

¹Department of Kinesiology, California State University-Long Beach, CA 90840, USA. wwu@csulb.edu

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport

|October 1, 2011

Summary

Self-controlled practice enhances motor skill learning. Participants choosing their practice structure showed significantly better timing and reduced errors compared to those without choice, supporting self-controlled learning benefits.

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Area of Science:

Motor learning
Cognitive psychology
Skill acquisition

Background:

Self-controlled practice is hypothesized to improve motor skill acquisition.
Understanding the impact of autonomy in practice selection is crucial for effective learning strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of self-controlled practice on learning multiple motor skills.
To compare the performance of individuals who choose their practice structure versus those who do not.

Main Methods:

Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either a self-control or yoked condition.
Participants practiced a three-keystroke pattern with varying relative time structures.
The self-control group selected their practice structure, while the yoked group followed a paired participant's choices.

Main Results:

The self-control group demonstrated significantly lower relative timing error.
The self-control group exhibited significantly lower absolute error and total error.
These performance improvements were observed in a 24-hr serial transfer test.

Conclusions:

Self-controlled practice positively impacts motor skill learning.
Allowing learners to choose practice parameters enhances performance and reduces errors.
Findings support the efficacy of self-controlled learning environments for skill development.