Skill Acquisition Process

A Skill Acquisition Process is a cognitive process that involves the development of a new skill through learning, practice, study, and experience.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) involve Cognitive Learning Processes such as memorization, practice, and feedback.
  • It can (often) involve the transition through stages of competence, from Unconscious Incompetence to Conscious Incompetence, Conscious Competence, and finally Unconscious Competence.
  • It can range from acquiring simple skills like Tying a Shoelace to complex skills like Machine Learning Algorithm Development.
  • It can require both Cognitive Skills for understanding and Motor Skills for execution, depending on the nature of the skill.
  • It can be enhanced by Educational Interventions, such as structured learning programs and mentorship.
  • It is supported by research that explores how declarative knowledge can be proceduralized during learning (DeKeyser, 2020).
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • a Musician Skill Acquisition Process (for musicians), such as learning to play a new instrument, demonstrating the gradual improvement from basic notes to complex compositions.
  • a Data Scientist Skill Acquisition Process (for data scientists), such as learning Python Programming, starting with basic syntax and advancing to writing complex data analysis scripts.
  • a Software Developer Skill Acquisition Process (for software developers), such as: mastering Software Design Patterns, evolving from understanding simple patterns to applying complex patterns in large software projects.
  • a NLP AI Engineer Skill Acquisition Process (for NLP AI Engineers), involving mastering techniques in Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning, starting from foundational algorithms and progressing to advanced systems integration and optimization.
  • a Chef Skill Acquisition Process (for chefs), involving the mastering of culinary skills from basic knife techniques to the creation of intricate dishes and menu planning.
  • a Project Manager Skill Acquisition Process (for project managers), such as learning Project Management methodologies like Agile or Waterfall, starting from basic principles of project planning to advanced stakeholder management and strategic execution.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Innate Abilitys, such as a natural talent for music or art, which are not acquired through the skill acquisition process but are instead natural competencies.
  • Reflex Actions, which are automatic and do not require a learning process.
  • ...
• See: Learning Theory, Cognitive Psychology, Educational Psychology, Instructional Design.

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References

2020

• (DeKeyser, 2020) ⇒ Robert DeKeyser. (2020). “Skill acquisition theory." In: Theories in second language acquisition, pages 83-104. Routledge.
  • NOTES: It outlines how skill acquisition involves the transformation of declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge through practice and feedback.

1996

• (VanLehn, 1996) ⇒ Kurt VanLehn. (1996). “Cognitive skill acquisition." In: Annual Review of Psychology, 47(1), pages 513-539.
  • NOTES: It discusses the role of instruction in the early stages of skill acquisition and its impact on learning efficiency.

1987

• (Anderson, 1987) ⇒ John R. Anderson. (1987). “Skill acquisition: Compilation of weak-method problem situations." In: Psychological Review, 94(2), pages 192.
  • NOTES: It examines various methods of organizing skills during the acquisition process and predicts transfer among skills.

1973

• (Sussman, 1973) ⇒ Gerald J. Sussman. (1973). “A computational model of skill acquisition."
  • NOTES: It presents a computational approach to understanding the process of learning intellectual skills and problem-solving efficiency in specific domains.

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