Students

ESPS3002 – Human Motor Learning and Performance

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Rebecca Cross
Eugene Poh Zhenyong
Rebecca Cross
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
120cp including (COGS1000, ESPS1000)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides you with a broad overview of motor learning, performance, and skill acquisition as it relates to humans. The unit integrates your prior study of anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, neuroscience, behavioural sciences, and psychology as it pertains to human movement. The unit explores the classification of motor skills, the neuromotor processes that underpin motor performance, and features of the learning environment that can be manipulated to promote motor learning in a coaching and/or rehabilitation context. The aim of the unit is to provide a behavioural and physiological understanding of the acquisition and execution of skilled motor actions and how to train and/or retrain motor actions. Through this unit you will learn how to instruct and provide feedback as appropriate for a potential future career as a practitioner/clinician.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Define the concepts of motor skill and motor learning and describe the stages of motor skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Analyse and classify motor skills according to the relevant anatomical, biomechanical, environmental, and physiological requirements (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO3: Evaluate how different elements of practice such as feedback, scheduling and instructions impact the acquisition of skill, and make evidence-based decisions about these factors when guiding skill acquisition in a range of contexts (Exercise Science Practitioner)
  • ULO4: Explain common theoretical models often used to explain motor control, motor learning, and skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO5: Characterise the neural and motor changes that underpin acquisition of motor skills including changes throughout the different stages of learning and how learning/performance is measured (Scientist and Scholar)

General Assessment Information

General assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. You must also make a serious attempt at all assessment items.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid-Semester Quiz 25% No Week 7
Report on Skill Development / Acquisition of a Motor Skill 40% No Week 13
Final Examination 35% No Exam Period

Mid-Semester Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

 

Mid-semester quiz.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define the concepts of motor skill and motor learning and describe the stages of motor skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Evaluate how different elements of practice such as feedback, scheduling and instructions impact the acquisition of skill, and make evidence-based decisions about these factors when guiding skill acquisition in a range of contexts (Exercise Science Practitioner)
  • Explain common theoretical models often used to explain motor control, motor learning, and skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)

Report on Skill Development / Acquisition of a Motor Skill

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

You will submit a poster and a report examining a hypothesis/claim relevant to the execution and/or acquisition of skilled motor actions. Your poster will be based on the experiment undertaken to develop and test your hypothesis/claim. Your report will involve providing recommendations based on your findings to a range of audiences.

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define the concepts of motor skill and motor learning and describe the stages of motor skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Analyse and classify motor skills according to the relevant anatomical, biomechanical, environmental, and physiological requirements (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Evaluate how different elements of practice such as feedback, scheduling and instructions impact the acquisition of skill, and make evidence-based decisions about these factors when guiding skill acquisition in a range of contexts (Exercise Science Practitioner)
  • Explain common theoretical models often used to explain motor control, motor learning, and skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Characterise the neural and motor changes that underpin acquisition of motor skills including changes throughout the different stages of learning and how learning/performance is measured (Scientist and Scholar)

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 35%

 

Final examination held during central examination period.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define the concepts of motor skill and motor learning and describe the stages of motor skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Analyse and classify motor skills according to the relevant anatomical, biomechanical, environmental, and physiological requirements (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Explain common theoretical models often used to explain motor control, motor learning, and skill acquisition (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Characterise the neural and motor changes that underpin acquisition of motor skills including changes throughout the different stages of learning and how learning/performance is measured (Scientist and Scholar)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, online modules, videos and lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

There are no required text in the unit. The following texts will be useful resources and available in the library. Recommendations about specific readings from these and other resources (such as research papers, books, websites and videos) will be listed on iLearn.

  • Recommended Texts (specific sections/chapters highlighted in lectures)

Magill, R.A. and Anderson, D. (2021). Motor learning and control: concepts and applications (12th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill

Edwards, W.H. (2011). Motor Learning & Control: From theory to practice. Belmont, USA: Wadsworth, Cengage learning.

  • Supplementary Texts

Davids, K.W., Bittpm C,. & Bennett,S.J. (2008). Dynamics of skill acquisition: A constraints-led approach. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics.

Schmidt, R. and Lee, T., (2019) Motor Learning and Performance: A problem-based approach. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics.

Spittle, M., (2021). Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition: Applications in physical education and sport (2nd ed). Basingstoke, United Kingdom: Palgrave-MacMillan.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

This is the first offering of ESPS3002 Human Motor Learning and Performance

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.  

Professionalism

Fitness to Practice (FTP) is the demonstration of professional competence, acceptable professional behaviour, freedom from impairment and compliance with course-specific requirements needed for a student to practice properly and safely throughout their course and to appropriately practice within a professional environment as a future Exercise Scientist.

Students undertaking the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science are required to demonstrate they meet requirements of the four attributes of FTP – Conduct, Performance, Health and Compliance throughout their entire program of study so that they can meet the requirements of the exercise science profession.

Students must also meet the inherent requirements to complete their degree, course, or unit and graduate. To meet the inherent requirements of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, full participation in practical classes which involve observation, manual handling, undertaking exercise for the purposes of instruction and demonstration is expected.

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook