Lit Review Ray Harmon

I commented on Group 1-Holly and Group 6 Alexandra

Physical Learning-Muscle memory

Ray Harmon

Ball State University

September 27, 2015

Introduction

The physical learning style is a style that is typically one in which the learner uses their body and their physical surroundings to help them better understand what they are learning. The use of touch, action, movement and hands on activities are some of the ways physical learners excel. ASIYAI, R. (2014). The environment is important as well. The ergonomics of the environment can affect both the learner and the facilitator. Items this includes are lighting, sound quality, outside distractions through windows and the comfort of the chairs and tables or desks. All of these areas can have a positive or negative effect on the learning environment. Along with the environment there are other areas of physical learning as well. Kinesthetic learning is another very important in the physical learning environment. Kinesthetic learning is a learning style that takes place when the learner is carrying out physical activity. This activity is generally called hands on and often times can include muscle memory exercises.  

General Themes

Environment

In a study done in public and private schools to find out how students perceive their physical learning environment, private schools ranked higher than public schools. Students in private schools viewed their physical learning environment higher than students in public schools. The students were given 10 statements in which they were asked to grade the statements on a scale of 1-4 with 1 being strongly disagree and 4 being strongly agree. The final tally showed almost a full point difference between the public and private schools. ASIYAI, R. (2014).

Physical memory

There are 2 types of physical memory, discursive and procedural. Discursive is the memory we as humans use when we learn a fact and then repeat it at a later time. Muscle memory comes more within the procedural memory. This procedural memory is our ability to just do things without actually thinking about doing them. For instance we can walk and talk on a phone and not really have to think about the walking part at all. We just do it. Within the realm of procedural memory there are three phases. These phases are cognitive, associative and autonomous phase. In the cognitive phase since we are learning the movement we must think about each thing we do. This is very tedious and can cause some learners to quit at this point, say from learning to skate or play a musical instrument. The associative phase is when the movement is starting to work smoother for the learner and it often actually encourages the learner to practice more as they begin to see positive results. When practice begins to make the movement easier and smoother the learner enters the autonomous phase in which it becomes second nature to do the movements that only a short time ago were very frustrating. Cochrane, R. (n.d.). Muscle memory is often said to be perfected by the old saying “practice makes perfect”. Learning to write, play a musical instrument and typing are all examples of muscle memory.

Work Based Learning-Cooperative Education

Work base learning or cooperative education has formally been around since the 80’s. This program allows students to work in the field they are training for with companies that agree to allow the students to work for them and receive a paycheck. This experience for the learner is invaluable, as they actually get to work in their chosen industry and learn how business operates. They use the hard and soft skills learned in their formal education in the work place. “Working outside the classroom immerses students in hands-on, project-based work experiences that align with industry trends and standards. The result is a meaningful connection between concept and application that students take with them into postsecondary education or the workforce.” Xanthis, B. (2015).

Implications

The best way to keep the physical learning environment settings as to keep learners involved is to make them comfortable yet not so much they become tired or sleepy. If the lighting is set so the learner can see what is going on and the sound quality allows them to hear what they need to hear you are setting them up for success. If any outside distractions are blocked out as much as possible with the use of shades or blinds this will also help. The chairs and tables should be arrange according to the use of the classroom. If you are facilitating a well-rounded discussion the chairs may be best suited in a circle. If you are presenting and all of the information is coming from the front of the room standard rows will work.

Physical memory, at least procedural memory, is used to learn how to create muscle memory that will allow learners to take on tasks such as learning to write or any other task that is repetitive. By doing this practice over and over the learner will develop the skills needed to perform the task without even thinking about it. This is called the autonomous phase of procedural memory.

Cooperative education is an idea that has been around since the 80’s. The evidence of the programs’ success is well documented. From employers finding valuable employees without having to actually hire them full time to students gaining valuable skills within their chosen industry, cooperative education is win-win for all.

Reflection

The physical learning environment plays a large role in how learners and facilitators work together as well as how the learner gains the knowledge needed to move forward in their journey. If the environment is distracting the learners will have difficulty focusing on the task at hand. Facilitators should work at making the physical learning environment as conducive to learning as possible. This includes blocking any outside distraction, as much as possible, and making the close up environment as neutral and learner friendly as possible. The proper use of lighting, sound, technology and comfort of chairs and tables is very important to facilitate the learners’ ability to focus. While not everyone will be happy with every possible setup, an effort to make sure most of the students feel comfortable in their learning environment, is very important.

Process

I completed this assignment using the Cincinnati State Library online database searches. I had previously thought a little about the physical environment but only to the idea if the sun was shining brightly into a room I was teaching in I would close the blinds. I never really considered the sound, use of technology or comfort level of the chairs and table prior to this assignment. I also didn’t think much about muscle memory in items such as typing, although I have had students that struggle in that area. As far as the coop experience, Cincinnati State is one of the country’s largest coop schools so I am familiar with the benefits to the coop experience. Overall this has been a good assignment to help me learn how to pay attention to the physical learning environment.

Theme Title	Main Theme in Literature	Application of Theme
Environment	The physical environment has an impact on learning. Lighting, sound, technology and comfort of the learner all are important in the learning environment.	The learning environment setup should be considered as it will affect learners. Lighting, sound, technology and outside influence are a few of the items needing attention when setting up the learning environment.
Physical Memory-Procedural Memory	There are three phase to procedural memory; cognitive, associative and autonomous. As each phase is completed the learner gains more skill and muscle memory.	For skills using muscle memory, practice makes perfect. Learners will be frustrated at first but with practice will begin to gain self-confidence and master the skill.
Work Based Learning-Cooperative Education	Students are given an opportunity to take the hard and soft skills learned in the classroom and put them into practice at a work place in their chosen field.	Cooperative education has been around since the 80’s and should be incorporated into learning if possible. The skills learned on the job will go with the learned in their chosen path.

References

ASIYAI, R. (2014). STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF THE CONDITION OF THEIR CLASSROOM PHYSICAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THEIR LEARNING AND MOTIVATION. College Student Journal, 48(4), 716-726.

Cochrane, R. (n.d.). What is muscle memory? Retrieved September 26, 2015 from http://cochranemusic.com/guitar-muscle-memory-speed

Xanthis, B. (2015). WORK-BASED LEARNING The Key to Connecting Students to the World of Work. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 90(1), 30-33.