锘� Course specification for SES2102

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Course specification
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SES2102 Motor Control and Learning

Semester 1, 2020 External
Short Description: Motor Control and Learning
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Health and Wellbeing
Student contribution band : Band 1
ASCED code : 069903 - Human Movement
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Requisites

Pre-requisite: BIO1203 and BIO1206 and SES1002
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: SES1299

Rationale

Students undertaking studies in the area of sport and exercise will be required to develop knowledge and skills related to the discipline area of motor control and learning. This course will introduce the theoretical basis of motor control and learning to select and perform assessments of motor skills. The course will provide the opportunity for students to develop the knowledge and skills to be able to design a suitable program, based on best practice, for teaching motor skills to meet the unique needs of clients across a range of groups in the population. The course also presents students with the opportunity to explore practical research in the area and to be able to integrate with other sport and exercise discipline areas, particularly biomechanics, to ensure best possible outcomes for individuals (based on their needs, including remedial and rehabilitation).

Synopsis

This course will provide students with an understanding of the nature of motor control and learning. It outlines the theoretical basis of motor control and learning to be able to select and perform assessments of motor skills. The course will assist students develop knowledge and skills relevant to the design of suitable programs, based on best practice, for use in teaching motor skills to meet the needs of clients. The course will also provide information relevant to a generally healthy population, especially those involved in sport and physical activity and, to individuals and groups across a range of populations. The use of motor control and learning in the development of motor skills and in rehabilitation will be a focus. Current research and the relationship to other discipline areas will be outlined.

This course contains a mandatory residential school for external students and mandatory on-campus laboratories or practical classes for on-campus students.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Describe the nature of human performance and motor control and learning (including theoretical models), in relation to the structure and function of the neuromuscular and sensory systems.
  2. Perform appropriate testing in motor control and learning tests and evaluate the effectiveness of testing and relevant issues.
  3. Explain and justify motor control and learning in health and exercise contexts and the influence on motor performance by factors such as injury, disease, disability and age
  4. Investigate and design motor learning and control programs for clients with specific needs in varying contexts and evaluate the effectiveness of programs in relation to outcomes.
  5. Discuss relevant research in motor learning and control and assess how motor control and learning knowledge and skills integrate with other sport and exercise disciplines.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Overview of Motor Control and Learning: Motor control and motor learning/skill acquisition defined. Voluntary and involuntary movement. Nature, structure and function of neuromuscular and sensory systems. Neural, physiological and psychological processes. Theories in motor learning and control and their theoretical and practical application. Capacities of the learner, features of learning environment, applications to teaching motor skills, coaching and rehabilitation. 40.00
2. Practical aspects of motor control and learning: Measurement and recording techniques. Laboratory testing and practical issues 鈥� strengths and limitations. Types of testing (such as gait analysis and association with other professionals such podiatrists). Interpret results. Motor performance in health, exercise and sporting contexts. Injury, disease, disability, age etc. influences on motor learning and control. Design and evaluate programs 鈥� various environments and protocols. Individual programs aspects: testing protocols, interpreting results, designing programs, implementation, monitoring (including discussion with client or other professionals), recording and reporting/referral and evaluation. 45.00
3. Research methodology and experimental techniques in motor control and learning. Integration with relevant disciplines in the sport and exercise science area. Knowledge from other disciplines (such as biomechanics and exercise physiology). Latest research and knowledge. 15.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=SES2102)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

Spittle, M 2013, Motor Learning & Skill Acquisition. Applications for Physical Education & Sport, Palgrave, Macmillan, Melbourne, Australia.
Tresilian, J 2012, Sensorimotor Control and Learning: An introduction to the behavioural neuroscience of action, Palgrave Macmillan, UK.

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
Davids, K., Button, C., & Bennett, S 2008, Dynamics of Skill Acquisition: A Constraints-Led Approach, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
Ericsson, K., Krampe, R., & Tesch-Romer, C 1993, 'The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance', Psychological Review, vol. 100, pp. 363-406.
Fitts, P. & Posner, M 1967, Human Performance, Brooks/Cole, Belmont, California.
Gentile, A 2000, 'Skill acquisition: Action movement, and neuromotor processes', in J. Carr, R. Shephard, J. Fordan, A. Gentile J. Hands (ed.), Movement science: Foundations for physical therapy in rehabilitation (2nd ed), Aspen Publishers, Rockville MD.
Jackson, S. & Csikszenmihalyi, M 1999, Flow in sports: the keys to optimal experiences and performances, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
Knudson, D.V. & Morrison, C.S 2013, Qualitative diagnosis of human movement: improving performance in sport and exercise, 3rd edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Assessments 54.00
Online Lectures 12.00
Online Tutorials 10.00
Private 精东传媒app 73.00
Residential Schools 16.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
Quiz 20 20 02 Apr 2020 (see note 1)
Lab Assignment 1 9 9 23 Apr 2020 (see note 2)
Lab Assignment 2 10 10 30 Apr 2020 (see note 3)
Lab Assignment 3 10 10 14 May 2020 (see note 4)
Lab Assignment 4 10 10 21 May 2020 (see note 5)
Res School/Lab Attend and Part 1 1 22 May 2020 (see note 6)
Online Examination 40 40 End S1 (see note 7)

Notes
  1. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled.
  2. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled. On-campus students are expected to attend practicals and complete each lab assignment in the week following the related practical. Online students will complete the lab assignments following attendance at the residential school. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled.
  3. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled. On-campus students are expected to attend practicals and complete each lab assignment in the week following the related practical. Online students will complete the lab assignments following attendance at the residential school. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled.
  4. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled. On-campus students are expected to attend practicals and complete each lab assignment in the week following the related practical. Online students will complete the lab assignments following attendance at the residential school. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled.
  5. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled. On-campus students are expected to attend practicals and complete each lab assignment in the week following the related practical. Online students will complete the lab assignments following attendance at the residential school. Special information sessions relating to the assessment item will be scheduled.
  6. Students must attend at least 80% of the timetabled residential school classes.
  7. This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official examination timetable has been released.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    Online students must attend the mandatory residential school at the Ipswich campus and will involve 16 hours of practical work over a three day period to successfully complete the course. Prior to attending, students must have completed all learning activities (i.e. watch all online lectures) to prepare them sufficiently for attending and fully participating in the mandatory residential school.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete the quiz and assignment assessment items a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for each item. To satisfactorily complete residential school and laboratory attendance, a student must attend a minimum of 80% of practical classes throughout the semester.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To satisfactorily complete the quiz and assignment assessment items a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for each item. To satisfactorily complete residential school and laboratory attendance, a student must attend a minimum of 80% of practical classes throughout the semester. To satisfactorily complete the exam a student must achieve at least 40% of the marks available..

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4).

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle) and must have submitted all assessment items required in the course. Must have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Proficiency) students must also attend 80% of practical sessions throughout the semester.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), must have submitted all assessment items required in the course, and must have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the marks available for that assessment item. Must have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Proficiency) students must also attend 80% of practical sessions throughout the semester.

    Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.

    To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2).

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course

  6. Examination information:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    RESTRICTED: Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are:
    a. writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination);
    b. non-programmable calculators which cannot hold textual information
    c. unmarked non electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary). Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.

  8. 精东传媒app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. Students must familiarise themselves with the USQ Assessment Procedures (.

  2. If electronic submission is specified for a course assessment, students will be notified of this on the Course 精东传媒app Desk. The due date for an electronically submitted assessment is the date by which a student must electronically submit the assignment irrespective of holidays. The assignment files must be submitted by 11.55pm on the due date using USQ time (as displayed on the clock on the course home page; that is, Australian Eastern Standard Time).

  3. If hardcopy submission is specified for a course assessment students will be notified of this on the Course 精东传媒app Desk. The due date for a hardcopy assignment is the date by which a student must submit at USQ or despatch the assignment to USQ irrespective of holidays.

  4. USQ will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile or email unless expressly requested by the course examiner.

  5. Referencing in Assignments must comply with the APA referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The APA style to be used is defined by the USQ library鈥檚 referencing guide. These policies can be found at

Evaluation and benchmarking

In meeting the 精东传媒app鈥檚 aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:

1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.

2. forms part of the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise program and is benchmarked against the

  1. internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.
  2. professional accreditation standards of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Other requirements

  1. Computer, e-mail and Internet access:
    Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at

  2. Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in this course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect the same grades as those students who do possess them.

  3. Students undertaking this course in external mode will be required to attend a residential school at the Ipswich campus to completed practical aspects related to the course. Students can locate the dates and residential schools via the 精东传媒app website. This will involve 16 hours of necessary practical work over a three day time period to successfully complete the course.

Date printed 19 June 2020