Practice (learning Method) - Common Types of Practice

Common Types of Practice

Some common ways practice is applied:

• To learn how to play a musical instrument
• To improve athletic or team performance
• To rehearse for a public performance, in theatre or music
• To improve reading, writing, interpersonal communication, typing, grammar, and spelling
• To solve problems with mathematics
• To enhance or refine a newly acquired skill
• To maintain skill-level
• To learn a combat sport, sparring is a form of practice
• To learn martial arts, kata and sparring are common forms of practice

How well one improves with practice depends on several factors, such as the frequency it is engaged in, and the type of feedback that is available for improvement. If feedback is not appropriate (either from an instructor or from self-reference to an information source), then the practice tends to be ineffective or even detrimental to learning. If a student does not practise often enough, reinforcement fades, and he or she is likely to forget what was learned. Therefore, practice is often scheduled, to ensure enough of it is performed to reach one's training objectives. How much practice is required depends upon the nature of the activity, and upon each individual. Some people improve on a particular activity faster than others. Practice in an instructional setting may be effective if repeated only 1 time (for some simple verbal information) or 3 times (for concepts), or it may be practised many times before evaluation (a dance movement).