title: Analysis of effects of distribution of practice in learning and retention of a continuous and a discrete skill presented on a computer.
abstract: This investigation examined the effects of distributed and massed practice on the learning and retention of a discrete computerized skill (Exp. 1) and a continuous computerized skill (Exp. 2). 40 men were randomly assigned to one of four groups, of which two groups took part in Exp. 1 and two groups in Exp. 2. Performance was assessed at various points during acquisition and then on 8 retention tests conducted at varying times after acquisition. Learning curves for practice were highly similar for the two conditions. Participants in the distributed-practice group performed significantly better than those in the massed-practice group at the end of practice on both the discrete and continuous skills. However, participants in the distributed-practice group performed significantly more poorly on retention during 24 hr. and after acquisition. Participants in the massed-practice condition performed significantly better on retention tests than did those who learned in the distributed-practice condition.
authors.affiliation: Sports Sciences Faculty, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la niversidad s/n, Cáceres 10071, Spain. gherrero@unex.es
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reina
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menayo
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fuentes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005556:Form Perception; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012984:Software