Perceptual-motor Learning

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/B_PERCML

Course Objective

Knowledge and understanding: The student is capable of describing and summarizing the main tenets and concepts of contemporary theories of perceptual-motor learning (i.e., motor programming approach, common
- coding approach, neuropsychological approaches, ecological approach, dynamic systems and nonlinear pedagogical approach), including their experimental methods and the key empirical evidence supporting them Applying knowledge and understanding: The student is capable of applying the knowledge and ideas emanating from contemporary theories of perceptual-motor learning to provide insight into existing habits and questions related to perceptual-motor learning in the practices of sports, rehabilitation and physical education. Making judgments: The student is capable of critically assessing and evaluating the underlying assumptions and empirical evidence for the contemporary theories of perceptual-motor learning. The student is capable of evaluating the applied value of the contemporary theories for the practice of perceptual-motor learning in sports, rehabilitation and physical education. The student is capable of distinguishing between scientific theories and empirical facts on the one hand, and habits, routines and conventions in practice on the other. Communication: The student is capable of presenting (orally, writing and using digital media) a concise summary of the main contributions of contemporary theories of perceptual-motor learning for applications in practice of sports, rehabilitation and physical education. The student is capable of contributing to discussions regarding the applied value of contemporary theories for the practice of sports, rehabilitation and physical education.

Course Content

The course provides a capita selecta of contemporary theories of perceptual
- motor learning, such as the motor programming approach, common-coding approach, neuropsychological approaches, the ecological approach and nonlinear pedagogy approach to perceptual-motor learning. Among others, the following topics will be addressed; variability of practice, video-feedback, self-controlled feedback, gaze
- training, education of attention, anticipation, internal & external focus of attention, motor familiarity, observational learning, implicit & explicit learning, analogy learning, errorless learning, reinvestment, constraints-led learning, transfer of learning, creativity. On the one hand, the course aims to deepen the understanding of contemporary theories and concepts with respect to learning of perceptual-motor skills. On the other hand, the course tries to bridge the gap between findings from theory-driven and experimental research and practices of training and (re-)learning of perceptual-motor skills in sports, rehabilitation and physical education.

Teaching Methods

Six lectures provide the student with an introduction into the contemporary approaches to perceptual
- motor learning. The lectures give a short background to the theories and provide a critical discussion of the key concepts and empirical evidence. During the tutorials the students (in groups) apply the contemporary theories to the practice of perceptual
- motor learning in sports, rehabilitation and physical education by proposing theory
- derived solutions to 'problems from practice'. Finally, in the practical students practice a new perceptual motor skill, and use the learning experience to reflect upon the concepts, explanatory value and limitations of the scientific approaches to perceptual-motor learning. Lectures 12 hours, tutorials 10 hours practical 4 hours, self study 142 (preparation lectures and tutorials, making vlogs for practica letc. 80 hours and assessments 60 hours).

Method of Assessment

Written exam (open-end question) 70%;Knowledge clip (30%),Practical vlogs (pass/no pass)

Literature

A collection of (recent) theoretical and experimental papers from the scientific literature (details to be announced).

Custom Course Registration

For more info on tutorial, practicals etc. please see Canvas.

Recommended background knowledge

B_MOTORLEREN: Motorisch leren en ontwikkelen (Motor learning and development)