Scribd
Upload
606 views4 pages

Transfer of Learning Theories

Transfer of learning refers to using knowledge or skills learned in one context in another new context or situation. There are several theories that explain how transfer occurs, such as identical elements theory which posits that transfer happens when elements are identical between situations. Positive transfer is when learning in one area facilitates learning in another area, while negative transfer is when previous learning obstructs new learning. For effective transfer, there must be similarities between the original learning situation and the new situation where the knowledge will be applied. Teachers can help foster transfer by showing students how knowledge can be applied in different situations and motivating students when they successfully transfer and apply their learning.

Uploaded by

Camille Mendoza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
606 views4 pages

Transfer of Learning Theories

Transfer of learning refers to using knowledge or skills learned in one context in another new context or situation. There are several theories that explain how transfer occurs, such as identical elements theory which posits that transfer happens when elements are identical between situations. Positive transfer is when learning in one area facilitates learning in another area, while negative transfer is when previous learning obstructs new learning. For effective transfer, there must be similarities between the original learning situation and the new situation where the knowledge will be applied. Teachers can help foster transfer by showing students how knowledge can be applied in different situations and motivating students when they successfully transfer and apply their learning.

Uploaded by

Camille Mendoza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Transfer of Learning.

Introduction

Purpose of school is to develop children’s skills and knowledge necessary for functioning effectively
inside and outside the school. Worth of any learning is application of knowledge and skills in learning
new skill or concept or using it in another situation. It is meaningless to learn something that you can’t
apply it.

Meaning of transfer of learning

Situation where the learned knowledge and skills are used either.

 in learning another information, knowledge, skills, or attitudes in new situation,

 at another time or

 in real life situation.

 It includes knowledge and skills acquired through experience which helps the student to learn
anything in classroom.

Theories of Transfer of Learning

 Mental discipline

 Identical elements

 Generalization

 Gestalt theory

 Apperception theory

Mental Discipline Theory

o Learning and training is a mental process. Basic in the transfer of learning is understanding of
classical knowledge which includes the study of logic, grammar, science and mathematics. This
means that if you acquire knowledge and understanding in these fields you can be able to
understand better the knowledge in other fields.

Theory of Identical Elements

 Transfer of learning occurs when the person carries from one situation elements that are
identical with the second situation where knowledge is to be transferred.
 There are elements that are identical that a person carries in another situation. These identical
elements include procedures, concepts, actions, facts, attitudes, principles, or techniques.

Generalization Theory

+ The knowledge gained through memorization can be related and associated to many other
experiences and practices.

+ So, the learner can be able to transfer that knowledge to another situation without directly
apply specific knowledge from the first context.

Gestalt Theory

 Transfer of learning occurs when a person is able to understand the information or idea, its
meaningfulness and its application to the daily life during the time of learning or when
experiencing something.

Apperception Theory

+ This theory focuses on linking knowledge, previous and new for effective transfer of learning.

+ This implies that the teacher must help students to assimilate new information in their already
acquired knowledge.

Types of transfer of learning

1.POSITIVE 2.NEGATIVE
TRANSFER TRANSFER

Positive Transfer

Positive transfer: learning of one kind helps another kind of learning or when used in life experiences.

Lateral and vertical transfer

+ Lateral transfer: learning of one kind facilitates learning of the same level in other situations or
in other contexts.

+ Lateral transfer also occurs when experience in solving problems in one situation can be applied
in solving problems of the similar kind in another situation or new environment.
Vertical transfer

+ Learning of the lower level helps in learning at higher level. Knowledge and skills learned at class
seven helps in learning at form II, form II helps in learning form VI (refer Brunner’s Spiral
Curriculum).

+ It also includes knowledge acquired during childhood applied during adulthood.

Negative transfer

+ Occurs when one kind of learning obstructs another kind.

Retroactive inhibition: present learning obstructs previous learning.

Proactive inhibition: previous learning obstructs present learning.

Conditions for Transfer of Learning

Similarity: transfer of learning requires similarity of:

o knowledge or skills in two kinds of learning or in two situations;

o situations where learning is to be applied;

o the required procedures;

o principle to be applied;

o problem to be solved.

What the teacher should do

Help the students to see the


Show different situations
similarities in two kinds of
where the same type of
learning, in using the same
knowledge, skills, concepts
knowledge or skills in
or principles can be applied.
different situations,

Motivation

 student’s motivation in doing their activities for transferring knowledge or training.

 Motivate them in one or both of the following situations:


 appraise them when they succeed in transferring knowledge in tasks given that that demand
transfer of knowledge.

 Encourage and support them whenever they try to apply acquired knowledge in the task you
give them.

“The more understanding, the better the transfer”

You might also like