A Problem of Poor Performance in College Beginning Tai Chi Class Behavioral Design Project Study Proposal ED 333A Wuping Lu Huiping Liao

Introduction What is Tai Chi? What is Tai Chi? –a traditional Chinese exercise consisting of a series of gentle movements designed to improve coordination, relieve stress, strengthen the immune system, and promote overall well-being. –five major styles (Song, Yang, Chen, Wu2, and Wu3) –range from a couple of forms to more than 150 forms, depending on the style or sub-style. Each form consists of a single or a series of movements

Introduction Three Levels of Tai Chi Skill Three Levels of Tai Chi Skill –Beginning Level: correctness of movements and sequence –Intermediate Level: coordination among movement, breathing, and mind –Advanced Level: visualization and actual movement of "Qi" or "energy" within the body during the routines

Introduction 24 Form Tai Chi – a "simplified" style based on Yang Family Tai Chi 24 Form Tai Chi – a "simplified" style based on Yang Family Tai Chi –usually the first class offered in most colleges –consists of 24 forms, each including a series of movements –have to be performed in correct sequence prescribed by the style

Learning Environments PHED an undergraduate PE course at ABC College entitled Beginning Tai Chi, teaching students 24 Form Tai Chi PHED an undergraduate PE course at ABC College entitled Beginning Tai Chi, teaching students 24 Form Tai Chi Objective: perform 24 Form Tai Chi in correct sequence precisely Objective: perform 24 Form Tai Chi in correct sequence precisely No prerequisite No prerequisite 50 minutes, twice a week 50 minutes, twice a week Course format: warm-up, reviews, and new content, practice and drills across class when needed Course format: warm-up, reviews, and new content, practice and drills across class when needed The instructor: well-trained in Tai Chi, no formal training in pedagogy, uses demonstration and verbal cues in teaching The instructor: well-trained in Tai Chi, no formal training in pedagogy, uses demonstration and verbal cues in teaching Students: 20, most freshman, equal gender, no previous Tai Chi experience Students: 20, most freshman, equal gender, no previous Tai Chi experience

Learning Problem Most students cannot meet the objectives set by the instructor Most students cannot meet the objectives set by the instructor We believe the objectives are appropriate for beginners We believe the objectives are appropriate for beginners Examples of symptoms of poor performance: Examples of symptoms of poor performance: –performing more than half of movements imprecisely and even inaccurately –missing some movements –doing movements in incorrect sequence.

Purpose The purpose of this investigation is to use behavioral learning theory to examine why this problem happened The purpose of this investigation is to use behavioral learning theory to examine why this problem happened We will focus on We will focus on –whether the instructor arranged the learning in a routine in which components of Tai Chi movements were presented systematically from simple to complex, taking into account what the students already know, and monitoring closely whether students have acquired the intended components before going ahead –Was his consideration sufficient

Learning Hierarchy Perform Single Movement Perform Two Movements in Right Sequence Perform the Whole Set of 24 Form Tai Chi in Right Sequence Perform Three or More Movement Combinations in Right Sequence Perform Single Form Perform Two or More Form Combinations in Right Sequence Chaining Learning Stimulus-Response Learning Chaining and Discrimination Learning

Learning Principles (B1) Routines of activity for effective transmission of knowledge (B1) Routines of activity for effective transmission of knowledge (B2) Clear goals, feedback and reinforcement (B2) Clear goals, feedback and reinforcement (B4) Sequences of component-composite skills. (B4) Sequences of component-composite skills.

Proposal Study Location Location ABC college, Palo Alto, CA Participants Participants 20 students:10 female and 10 male, one male instructor

Proposal Study (con) Methods and Procedures Methods and Procedures Consent forms Class observation Online Status check Interview Performance Evaluation

Possible Results Most students performed poorly Most students performed poorly Learning was organized in a routine of warm-up, review, new content, practice and drills, from simple to complex Learning was organized in a routine of warm-up, review, new content, practice and drills, from simple to complex practice and drill was not adequate in and after class practice and drill was not adequate in and after class  Students who practiced at home did better than students who did not –Students who practiced at home for more than half hour each week did better than students who practiced for less time feedbacks to reward and reinforce are inadequate feedbacks to reward and reinforce are inadequate Stimuli are not strong enough to promote discrimination learning Stimuli are not strong enough to promote discrimination learning

Suggested Solutions Provide sufficient practice time in class Provide sufficient practice time in class Give incentives such as extra points for active participation in class practice and drills Give incentives such as extra points for active participation in class practice and drills Decrease the class size so that the instructor can give more feedback to each individual student Decrease the class size so that the instructor can give more feedback to each individual student Emphasize the importance of practicing after class Emphasize the importance of practicing after class Provide students a video clip of 24 From Tai Chi so that students can compare their own movements with standard movement for self-feedback when they are practicing after class Provide students a video clip of 24 From Tai Chi so that students can compare their own movements with standard movement for self-feedback when they are practicing after class Provide strong stimuli to promote discrimination learning Provide strong stimuli to promote discrimination learning

Conclusion Our Findings Our Findings The beginning Tai Chi Class has a clear routine for students to follow. It need to improve on giving feedbacks and reinforcers. Students need more practice in and after class. The beginning Tai Chi Class has a clear routine for students to follow. It need to improve on giving feedbacks and reinforcers. Students need more practice in and after class. Further Studies Further Studies

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