In terms of learning phases, what is characterized by the development of skill through practice?

The associative phase of learning is characterized by the development of skills through consistent practice and refinement. During this phase, individuals begin to make connections between their actions and the outcomes, allowing them to adjust their performance based on feedback. This is especially important because learners move from understanding the basic mechanics of a skill, which is typically established during the cognitive phase, to improving efficiency and consistency in their performance.

In the associative phase, learners are actively practicing and honing their skills, and they become more aware of their performance, which enables them to correct mistakes and develop more sophisticated techniques. Feedback, both intrinsic (self-evaluation) and extrinsic (coaching), plays a critical role in helping them refine their skills further.

The other phases mentioned serve different purposes in the learning process. The cognitive phase focuses on the initial understanding of a skill without much practice, while the autonomous phase refers to the level where skills become automatic and require little conscious effort. The repetitive phase isn't a formal stage in most learning models but may describe a practice-oriented approach that does not encapsulate the nuanced learning and adaptation that occur in the associative phase. Overall, the associative phase is essential for skill development through practice, making it the correct choice in this context.