Distinguish between learning and performance using a sporting example.

Explain the motor skill profile of a swimmer who races in 100m freestyle events.

learning is a continuous process while performance occurs at one time✔
OR
learning causes permanent change while performing is temporary✔

learning may be difficult to measure but performance can be measured accurately✔
OR
learning may be assessed but performance can have a quantitative measure✔

eg, a golfer’s handicap may change due to learning while a single good shot is performance✔

Award [1 max] if no example is given from a named sport.

Accept answers in the converse.
Accept other valid examples.

gross as involves large muscle movements✔

closed as it takes place in a stable environment✔

continuous as cycle is repeated / no obvious beginning or end✔

internally paced as swimmer controls the rate skill is executed✔

coactive as performed at same time as others✔

competitors are performing at the same time but where they are physically separated✔

This proved to be a very challenging question to most candidates. Students were not able to differentiate adequately between learning and performance and commonly made the mistake of describing performance as perfect execution of an action. Many of the stated examples were too vague.

Many candidates were unable to identify any skill profile continuums. The most common correct identification was use of gross skills in the freestyle swimming events. However, many of those who stated the correct named continuum, ignored the command term which required an explanation.