TRANSFER

OF LEARNIN

G

Dr. Dilip Kumar MondalWebsite: www.dilipmondal.webs.com

What is Transfer?

It is the ability to take understanding acquired in one context and apply it to a different context.

It occurs when previous learning affects current performance.

Occurs when learning in one context or with one set of materials impacts of one performances in another context or with other related materials.

Meaning of Transfer of Learning

Example

Learning to get along with one’s siblings may prepare one for getting along better with others.

FORMS OF TRANSFER

General transfer •The ability to apply knowledge or skills learned in one context in a variety of different contexts.

Specific transfer•The ability to apply information in a context similar to the one in which it was originally learned.

Types of Transfer

POSITIVE TRANSFER

Occurs when learning in one context improves performance in some other context.

Example

An Indian speaker would find it easier to learn English language than Japanese.

NEGATIVE TRANSFER

Occurs when learning in one context impacts negatively on performance in another.

ExampleLearning Bengali as a child, the learner now frequently interchange the /e/ & /i/ sounds when speaking in English.

FAR TRANSFERTasks involve skills and knowledge being applied in situations that change. Far transfer tasks require instruction where learners are trained to adapt guidelines to changing situations or environments.

This is also called General Transfer.

Example A person who learned the principles of wind flow to design a windmill can transfer that knowledge to direct the sail on a sailboat.

NEAR TRANSFER

Near transfer of skills and knowledge are applied the same way every time the skills and knowledge are used. Near transfer training usually involves tasks that are procedural in nature, that is, tasks which are always applied in the same order.

ExampleA person who knows how to drive a car can transfer these existing skills to learn how to drive a bus.

Factors Affecting the Transfer of Learning

Similarity Between Learning SituationsDepth of Original UnderstandingQuality of ExamplesVariety of ExamplesLearning ContextEmphasis on Metacognition

CONDITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF TRANSFER

Conditions/Factors affecting transfer of

learning

Principle of transfer Implication

Similarities between two learning situations

The more similar the two situations are, the greater the chances that learning from one situation will be transferred to the other situation.

Involve students in learning situations and tasks that are similar as possible to the situations where they would apply the task.

Degree of meaningfulness/relevance of learning

Meaningful learning leads to greater transfer that rote learning.

Remember to provide opportunities for learners to link new material to what they learned in the past.

Length of instructional time

The longer the time spent in instruction, the greater the probability of transfer.

To ensure transfer, teach a few topics in depth rather than many topics tackled in a shallow.

Conditions/Factors affecting transfer of

learning

Principle of transfer Implication

Variety of learning experience

Exposure to many and varied examples and opportunities for practice to encourage transfer.

Illustrate new concepts and principles with a variety of examples. Plan activities that allow your learners to practice their newly learned skills.

Context for learner’s experiences

Transfer of learning is the most likely to happen when learners discover that what they learned is applicable to various contexts.

Relate topic in one subject to topics in other subjects or disciplines.

Focus on Principles rather than tasks

Principles transfer easier than facts.

Zero in on principles related to each topic together with strategies based on those principles.

Emphasis on metacognition

Student reflection improves transfer of learning.

Encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, and to reflect on what they learned.