Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Motor Skill Acquisition (Online)

KIN 6090-70I

Course: KIN 6090-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PEHP
CRN: 20355

Course Description

Examines the internal processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes in the capability to perform motor skills. The study of motor skill acquisition with application to teaching and coaching. Current approaches focus on the cognitive process and neural mechanisms which contribute to the learning and control of motor skills. (Summer - Online) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): KIN 6080 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): Sports Conditioning and Performance majors only

Required Texts

Cheryl A. Coker (2022). Motor Learning & Control for Practitioners (5th Ed.)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize and understand concepts and terminology related to motor learning and control.
    • Quizzes and exams
  2. Discuss the nature of how motor skills are performed and learned and outline and describe concepts used to facilitate motor skill acquisition.
    • Research presentations/discussions
  3. Apply evidence-based practices of motor learning to teach movement more effectively.
    • Research presentations/discussions
  4. Develop an approach to effectively apply the course material to teach a motor skill.
    • Practitioner application activities/project

Course Requirements


EXAMS
 As the concepts build upon each other throughout the semester, all examinations will be comprehensive (including material from previous exams). Exams will be multiple choice questions. Exams should be completed individually without using notes/books.

QUIZZES
 Quizzes will be given for most chapters to help check for understanding and will consist of information from the required readings for each chapter. The quizzes are meant to be opportunities to learn and to practice using the concepts you have learned in the class. You can take each quiz twice, keeping the higher of the two scores. You may use your notes/book to complete the quizzes. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped.

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
You will have the opportunity to find, read, and present research papers from the field of motor learning that apply to sports conditioning performance. You will also have the opportunity to learn from the presentations of your classmates. 

PRACTITIONER APPLICATION PROJECT
 You will demonstrate your ability to apply concepts learned during the course to a topic of your interest (a motor skill) and create a teaching/coaching manual/presentation to provide an application of the topics discussed in class. More details will be given during class. 

Course Outline

While you can work on learning the course materials at your own pace, you will need to participate in weekly research discussions throughout most of the semester.
 |  Week  | Dates | Chapter: Class topic |  
 | 1 | May 11-16 | Introduction and planning | Application Project Proposal
 | 2 | May 18-23 | 1: Introduction to Motor Learning | Presentation 1 Quiz 1
 | 3 | May 25-30 | 2: Understanding Movement Preparation | Presentation 2 Quiz 2
 | 4 | June 1-6 | 3: Attention, Arousal, and Visual Search | Presentation 3 Quiz 3
 | 5 | June 8-13 | 4: Behavioral Theories of Motor Control | Exam 1 Presentation 4 Quiz 4
 | 6 | June 15-20 | 5: Neural Mechanisms of Control | Presentation 5 Quiz 5
 | 7 | June 22-27 | 6: Stages of Learning | Presentation 6 Quiz 6
 | 8 | June 29-July 4 | 7: Pre-Instruction Considerations | Presentation 7 Quiz 7
 | 9 | July 6-11 | 8: Skill Presentation | Exam 2 Presentation 8 Quiz 8
 | 10 | July 13-18 | 9: Principles of Practice Design | Presentation 9 Quiz 9
 | 11 | July 20-25 | 10: Practice Schedules | Presentation 10 Quiz 10
 | 12 | July 27-Aug. 1 | 11: Diagnosing Errors | Exam 3 Presentation 11 Quiz 11
 | 13 | Aug. 3-8 | 12: Correcting Errors | Presentations 12 Quiz 12
 | 14 | Aug. 10-15 | Application Activity | Presentations 13-14 Final exam

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work is not accepted except in extenuating circumstances such as illnesses or emergencies when discussed promptly with the instructor (usually before the due date).

Attendance Policy

While this is an online course, you will be expected to participate by reviewing your peers' presentations and participating in course discussions. Online study requires significant self-motivation and proper time management. You will be expected to manage your time and progress effectively to ensure that you do not fall behind in your coursework. It is expected that all course work will be completed individually and be your own work. You must also understand that online coursework will require the same amount of time as if you were taking a conventional college course. If you have questions concerning the course requirements, have difficulty assessing course materials online, or need additional clarification regarding course requirements, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.

Course Fees

Standard department fees (3 credit hours: $22.50)

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.