EXERSCI 205 : Motor Learning
Science
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The objective of EXERSCI 205 Motor Learning is to provide undergraduate students theoretical and practical knowledge relating to motor learning and skill acquisition, with examples taken from sport, music, dance, occupational skills, rehabilitation, and daily living. At the end of this course, students will be able to explain theories of motor control and motor learning processes and stages, and apply that theory to develop effective skill practice sessions. Practical experiences will include assessment of motor performance, the effects of different practice strategies, and the development and prescription of motor skill practice regimes for specific real-world scenarios.
EXERSCI 205 is one of the foundational courses in the Exercise Sciences programme, but also suitable for non-Exercise Science students who are also interested in the teaching, learning, and assessment of motor skills. Potentially interested groups, in addition to budding exercise scientists, will include physical educators, psychologists, physical therapists, dancers, musicians, athletes, and artists. EXERSCI 205 complements (but is not an exclusive prerequisite for) EXERSCI 305 Movement Neuroscience, which explores the neurobiological basis of motor control and movement disorders.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe stages of motor learning and skill acquisition and relate these to a practical example (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Explain the role of feedback and attention in the motor learning process, and be able to use these to optimally augment the learning process (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Explain the effect of different practice structures on motor learning, and be able to plan and implement these structures in a practice programme tailored to characteristics of the learner, skill, and environment (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Assess motor learning by quantitative measurement of the performance of a motor skill (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Use theoretical frameworks to design and implement an individualized training/practice programme for a motor skill, tailored to their needs, developmental stage, and physical capacity (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Describe theories of motor control and fundamental neurobiological mechanisms by which motor control and learning occur (Capability 3 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Tests | 30% | Individual Test |
| Lab outputs | 40% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Portfolio | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Tests | ||||||||||
| Lab outputs | ||||||||||
| Portfolio | ||||||||||
Key Topics
- Neurobiology of movement and learning
- Processes and theories of motor control
- Motor learning
- Structure and content of practice
Special Requirements
The lab component of the course involves taking measurements of humans performing movements. Since this is a science course, involvement in the labs is compulsory but students have the choice, in each lab, to act as either the participant or researcher. Hands-on participation with the activities is strongly encouraged. Performance of lab skills will be assessed and must be passed.
Tuākana
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures per week, a 2-hour lab every two weeks, 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings. Attendance on campus is required for all tests.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Course content will be provided on Canvas.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
This was a new course in 2022, and no formal student feedback was available at the time of writing of this course outline. Initial informal feedback was that the course had gone well and covered interesting content.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
- Usually, reasonable requests made before the work is due (NOT retrospectively) will be granted.
- Proof may be required of the reason for the request (e.g. a medical certificate). This can be done through Student Health and Counselling Services [1]
- Extensions can only be granted by the course coordinator.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.