TRANSFER OF LEARNING IN PROBLEM SOLVING AND CREATIVITY

Learning Objectives:
 Define what is transfer of learning;
 Enumerate the types of transfer of learning;
 Identify what type of transfer of learning is in the given situation.

Transfer of Learning
Transfer of learning is the process of applying one’s knowledge and skills to new
situations, a central goal of education. Transfer of learning means the use of
previously acquired knowledge and skills in new learning or problem-solving
situations

Types of Transfer:
1. Positive Transfer- Positive transfer occurs, when knowledge acquired in one
situation helps the learner to acquire knowledge, skills or principles in another
situation much faster
Examples:
 When a person can play guitar, it is easier for him/her to learn piano.
 An artist who is a master in blending colors and shadowing can learn makeup
faster

2. Negative Transfer- Negative transfer occurs when content in a subject or in

two different subjects has a negative influence on one another. This happens
when what is learned in one situation hinders or inhibits what is learned in
another situation.
Examples:
 An abstract artist is tasked to create realistic art (realism art).
 A digital artist tried drawing on paper.
3. Zero/Neutral Transfer- This refers to acquiring knowledge, skills or principles
that are not transferable from one situation to another. This occurs when there is
no relationship between one subject and another one
Examples:
 Being knowledgeable in Philippine history will contribute nothing towards
mastering algebra.
 Memorizing the elements in the periodic table will not make you solve
trigonometric problems.

Two Important Theories in Transfer of Learning:

1. Theory Of Identical Elements
This theory has been developed by E.L.Thorndike. According to him, most of the
transfer occurs from one situation to another in which there are most similar or
identical elements. The degree of transfer increases as the similarity of elements
increases. For example, learning to ride a moped is easy after learning to ride a
bicycle. Here, the transfer is very fast because of identical elements in both
vehicles.

2. Theory Of Generalization Of Experience

This theory was developed by Charles Judd. It assumes that what is learned in
task ‘A’ transfers to task ‘B’ because in studying ‘A’, the learner develops a
general principle that applies in part or completely in both ‘A’ and ‘B’.
Generalization consists of perceiving and understanding what is common to
many situations. The ability of individuals to generalize knowledge varies with the
degree of their intelligence.

What is the relationship between PROBLEM SOLVING, CREATIVITY, and

TRANSFER OF LEARNING?
In problem-solving, an individual must recall and apply previously acquired
knowledge that is relevant to the specific problem. Creativity allows us to view
and solve problems more openly and innovate using previously acquired
knowledge.