Home » Catalog » Course Catalog » KIN 5373

Course Title: Motor Learning and Control
Campus Course Code: KIN 5373
UTTC Course Code: KINO 6326
Campus: UT El Paso
Program: Kinesiology
Course Description

Current theories and concepts involved in the processes of motor skill acquisition and performance from a behavioral perspective. Major topics include the methodology of studying motor performance, information processing, sensory, and central contributions to motor control, coordination, individual differences, conditions of practice, feedback, retention and transfer and the learning process. Practical application of principles is emphasized.

Objectives

This course is designed for graduate students enrolled in the MS-Kinesiology programs of Universities that are part of the UT-TeleCampus collaborative. The professional backgrounds of students taking this course vary from physical education teachers to athletic coaches to physical therapists but all are generally focused on improving their understanding of motor learning as it relates to application (practice) as opposed to research. The goal of this course is to facilitate acquisition of the skills necessary to read, comprehend, synthesize, evaluate, and apply research results related to motor learning and control in practice as a teacher, coach, therapist, or movement educator using a problem-based learning approach.

  1. Discuss the contributions of abilities to human motor skill performance and individual differences
  2. Identify and apply different measures to document that a student is actually learning a skill
  3. Explain and describe the stages of learning in terms of what happens to the learner during these stages and what a teacher/coach/therapist should look for as the learner progresses through the stages.
  4. Explain the relationship between learning, memory, retention, and transfer and apply these principles to enhance memory and transfer in the performance of motor skills.
  5. Describe the effects of feedback on learning and performance and demonstrate competence in the application of feedback to learners during learning experiences.
  6. Discuss the effects of practice organization on learning and performance in class discussion and analyze practice organization during observation of a learning experience.
  7. Discuss the importance of vision in learning and control of motor skills
  8. Demonstrate understanding of the contribution of peripheral and central mechanisms of motor control in skill acquisition through participation in an online discussion.
  9. Explain and apply the laws of simple movements in developing effective learning experiences.
  10. Apply theories of motor learning and control to real life examples of movement situations within the personal realm of experiences

Materials

To see a complete list of materials needed for this course, as well as any important notes and instructions provided by the instructor, visit the UTTC Book Lists.
Credits:3
Level:Graduate
Faculty

Rockie  Pederson
rpederson@utep.edu
915-747-7258