Module SPRT1291: DEVELOPING SKILL IN SPORT

Department: Applied Social Sciences (Sport)

SPRT1291: DEVELOPING SKILL IN SPORT

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide students with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of skill acquisition and development and how this contributes to the enhancement of performance within sport;
• To provide students with an introduction to coaching planning and pedagogy as it relates to skill acquisition and development;
• The knowledge and understanding gained within this module will be complementary to the Body in Action (Level 1).

Content

• This module will have two distinct parts. The first part is a series of one-hour lectures on key theories and principles of skill acquisition and development. Appropriate, specific sport examples will be used throughout to illustrate the application of theories and principles and also to engage the students. Topics covered will include: the learning process; defining skill and related terms; information processing; feedback; phases in learning and developing skills; practice considerations; assessing and evaluating skills; quality practice;
• The second part is a series of one-hour practical workshops whereby students participate in selected sports with an emphasis on how technique, skills and strategies are introduced/developed. As the workshops progress, students are expected to play a fuller role in their own learning by preparing practices.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain key principles of skill acquisition and development and relate these to sporting contexts;
• Understand and apply the key aspects of the definition and classification of a motor skill;
• Develop an understanding of the fundamental nature of motor abilities;
• Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of how motor movements are programmed and controlled.

• Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of skill development to the specific context of improving performance in selected sports;
• The application of theory to practice;
• To effectively deconstruct a motor skill so that the organisational demands of the movement task can inform appropriate practice and training schedules.

• Reading and presenting a theoretical evidence base to inform practice decisions;
• Analyse and solve skill-related movement problems;
• Deconstruct and classify motor skills, and design appropriate learning environments;
• Time management and independent learning;
• Communicate and share ideas with peers;
• Use information technology.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching and learning will be centred around lectures and practical workshops;
• The lectures, while imparting key principles and referring to relevant literature, will attempt to engage students throughout in question/answer and small group discussion work;
• In the practical workshop sessions, students will experience the introduction and progression of key techniques, skills and strategies within selected sports;
• Students will be assessed on a formative assignment, a summative assignment of 1,500 words and a 2 hour examination. The coursework assignments will assess students ability to research a relevant topic in detail and analyse key issues. In the unseen examination, students are required to review all material within the module in order to be able to answer specific questions on applying key principles and issues to skill development in sport.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1,000 word assignment.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University