What follows are quotes from research in the International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, Nov. 3, 2006 issue, discussing the nature of learning, video replay and motion analysis.1) “Given the strong agreement among motor learning experts about movement that there is no such thing as an “Optimal Movement Pattern (see 20, 21), perhaps these programs (video and motion analysis) should include a warning that copying other performers can ruin your skills.”(That’s a very strong statement about the nature of learning.)

2) “Providing extrinsic feedback often does not improve performance. Studies show less extrinsic information is better than more.”

(Typically technology creates a long list of exact details and information. But the brain does not encode details – it works best with general, just in the ballpark concepts. Also, studies show that following direction creates the kind of stress that slows learning.)

3) “Another issue, whether providing immediate feedback actually achieves an improved performance? There is strong evidence that immediate video feedback during instruction has a negative impact in the retention phase of skill learning. This should caution manufacturers from promoting the value of immediate feedback.”

(Again, this is a counter-intuitive, but true insight. Video and other extrinsic feedback is not only less valuable than intrinsic self-discovery, they both can fragment learning.)

More quotes- about the manufacturers of technology in International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, Nov. 3, 2006 include!

4) “Despite all the development in what is called the Information Communication Technology, there has been little consideration given by developers and manufacturers into gaining an in-depth understanding of how athletes perceive and how they are influenced by video developers and manufacturers”.

5) “Little is known by the developers of technology for instruction about how much, or when, or what type of feedback is appropriate or even if it can be detrimental”.

6) “When reflecting on questions of use, the developer commented that often the features of the software are put into use as the result of technology becoming available rather than a result of research into what is best for the user.” This statement was a real eye-opener!

When I had the honor of receiving two National PGA Awards, 1990 Horton Smith Trophy, and 1991 PGA Teacher of the Year, I was on a journey to gain more accurate insights into acts of learning and teaching. At that time I had to go beyond the golf industry’s education opportunities in order to receive help from leading educators and award-winning scientists to learn more about what constitutes efficient learning and teaching.

New insights from modern science inspired me to rethink and change the information delivery system that I used for 20 years.   Studies show how the brain will best learn skills and how information needs to be taken into consideration first.

Neuro Learning for Golf

Presents

Grow the Game Instruction™

Video Research

By Michael Hebron

Copyright 2009 Michael Hebron, Learning Golf, Inc. All Rights ReservedNeuro Learning for Golf and Neurogolf Learning are trademarks of Learning Golf, Inc.