As an undergraduate, I studied learning. Specifically, I became obsessed with the impact of variable practice on motor learning. Many of the classic studies in the field are done with basketball. Here’s a simple example:
Two groups of people with no prior experience are given the task of shooting hoops. The first group, the control, attempt throws from the free throw line. The variable practice group attempt an equal number of throws from throughout the court.
Understandably, during this initial practice interval the control group performs better. They have more opportunities to attempt the same shot and fewer variables to contend with.
Things get interesting during the subsequent, performance intervals. At the end of the practice session, each group is tasked with shooting baskets from the free throw line. Then, one hour and one week later, both groups again shoot baskets from the free throw line.
During the first performance session, the control group scores more points. But, in an unexpected twist, an hour and a week later, the variable practice group – those with less experience shooting free throws! – score substantially more points.
The people who practiced shooting baskets from a wide range of angles have better retention of the skill.
Even more interesting, when both groups are tasked with shooting baskets a week later from somewhere else on the court – somewhere that neither group attempted previously – the variable practice group again performs substantially better.
Variable practice results in better skill retention and skill transfer.
Don’t assess learning during practice
The problem is that when you and I are casually shooting hoops, even if we are “just practicing,” we want to score points.
We assess ourselves by how well we perform while we are learning.
When I’m undertaking a new project, I remind myself to distinguish between learning and performance. In the three months learning up to Responsive Conference 2024, the goal was to sell tickets to the conference – a performance interval. Over the next three months, I’m re-focusing on diet. This is a learning phase, which entails study, research, and non-concrete outcomes.
Learning is about the messy middle. It means learning to shoot basketball while being willing to miss more shots than you make because you are practicing.
The next time you are practicing a new skill or looking to refine an existing one, remind yourself whether this is a practice or performance phase of learning.
Until next week,
Robin