IMPLICATION OF LEARNING CURVE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

1. IMPLICATION OF LEARNING CURVE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION PRESENTATION BY DR. RAJESH KUMAR CLASS-BA 2ND YEAR P.G. G.C.G. SECTOR-11, CHANDIGARH

2. IMPLICATION IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS • The learning curve is of great importance and has serious implications in physical education and sports. It is of immense practical value to a physical education teacher and all those involved in teaching and training programme. Physical skills cannot be learnt and mastered without repeated attempts, and uncharted, unguided attempts would prove futile and wastage of time and energy. Learning curve plays a very important role in providing direction to such attempts. According to Cratty, "The shape of a motor learning curve is a function of the spacing of the trials, and the capabilities of the performer, as well as the nature of the task" Indeed, the learning curve is an excellent indicator of a learner's level of performance. • In physical activities and sports, it is desirable to have as good a start as possible when some new skill is taken up. Thus, if the physical education teacher is well prepared to start a new skill or topic, and knows what he is going to do and how to do it, then a good beginning is more likely. Learning curve comes handy to a physical education teacher in his efforts as it is a chart which depicts the various levels of learning from stage to stage. It also reveals the speed or pace at which progress is being made. The initial state, the rate of improvement, plateau, their duration and levels, and limits apply directly to his teachings.

3. Variations in sports achievements is a rule and cannot be avoided, for many factors and conditions influence performance and cause these variations. If a chart is made of day by day learning and performance, great variations in the efficiency will be found. By closely analyzing these variations, a physical education teacher can monitor the athlete's performance and can suggest remedial measures by carefully analyzing these variations. Infact, the graphic depiction of one's performance is one of the most motivating force which compels an athlete to strive for higher excellence. Learning curve serves the physical education teacher as a guide. It reveals the progress made by the athletes pursuant to his efforts. If the learning curve indicates slow initial start, it may serve a caution to the physical education teacher to analyze the factors, circumstances which are hampering the proper initial start. In case the curve is indicating a rapid initial start, it conveys the message to the teacher that the training is preceding on the right path and he has to put in efforts to maintain this acceleration. We have seen in the earlier part of this chapter while dealing with learning curve that no one can continue to improve indefinitely in every given task and his improvement is bound to slow down after some time. This period or phase called plateau, is inevitable in all the learning processes including those involving physical activities. When the learning curve depicts that the athlete's learning process is slowing down or has reached the plateau

4. The physical education teacher can analyze the factors which were responsible for decrease in the pace of learning process. He can formulate strategies to enable the athlete to overcome the plateau and resume his upward and further progress in the task. If he finds that plateau is a result of complexity involved in the learning of the task, he can immediately device and improvise strategies simplifying the complexity involved. If boredom or fatigue is the reason for stagnation, he can introduce novelty in the activity and through innovative methods he may be able to renew the interest and enthusiasm among the athletes. Many times when the athlete is on plateau he may be feeling that he has no motive or purpose, and may not be trying very hard. A resourceful and foresighted physical education teacher may devise motivational techniques, keeping in view the peculiarities of the athlete, thereby facilitating the athlete in overcoming the plateau. There, probably, is no way of entirely preventing plateau, but it may be lessened in number and be shorter in duration if the athlete is highly motivated and his interest is well maintained. In certain cases a physical education teacher can allow the athlete to take a few days off or turn to a different task when he is failing to show any betterment in his performance. Furthermore, from the learning curve a physical education teacher can note when the athlete seems to be poorly motivated, without much interest and seemingly on plateau. He can, then, introduce new materials, try new methods, vary the activities, and consciously work to get the athlete rise above the plateau.

5. An important message conveyed by the learning curve is the indication that the athlete has overcome the plateau. He has succeeded in putting behind the staleness and is ready to renew his efforts for high and better performance. Sudden spurt in the learning curve after the plateau is a signal to the physical education teacher that with proper guidance and direction, the athlete is ready to strive for better performance. • Another important implication of the learning curve in physical education and sports is that it forewarns the teacher and trainer regarding the impending physiological limits, beyond which it is not possible for the athlete to make further progress. • A wise physical education teacher, with the help of athletes, can chart individual's and group's performance in the form of learning curves. When this can be done, they know what progress is being made by them. This will motivate many of the athletes. The salient features of the learning curve enables the teacher to solve many of the problems which adversely affect the learning process.

6. Thank You