Transfer of learning

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The Theory of Transfer of Learning was introduced by Edward Thorndike and Robert S. Woodworth (1901)^[1]. They explored how individuals would transfer learning in one context to another context that shared similar characteristics. Their theory implied that transfer of learning depends on the learning task and the transfer task being identical, also known as 'identical elements'. There is a close relationship between transfer of learning and problem solving, since transfer of learning generally occurs when previous knowledge is applied to solve a problem in a new situation (Ormrod, 2004).

Contents 1 Types of transfer 2 Transfer of learning/training 3 Types of transfer of learning 4 Factors of transfer of learning 5 See also 6 References

[edit] Types of transfer

Perkins and Salomon (1992) elaborate different types of transfer of learning, describing the concept and the differences between positive and negative transfer, as well as what is called "near" and "far" transfer. The following table, presenting different types of transfer, is adapted from Schunk (2004, p. 220).

[edit] Transfer of learning/training

To transfer or shift the learning/training from one task to other. When the learning/training of one task effect the learning of another task it will called transfer of learning/training. A major part of daily life depend on transfer of learning.

[edit] Types of transfer of learning

Learning of one task is not always facilitating other new learning or previous learning. Learning of one task create inhibition in the learning of new/previous task. There are three types of transfer of learning. Positive learning , Negative learning , Bilatrial learning. When learning of transfer of one task facilitate/supports the learning of other task it will called positive learning transfer of learning. e.g Mathematics help in Statistics. When learning of transfer of one task inhibate the learning of other task it will called negative transfer of learning. e.g Automatic transmission car and mannual transmission car. Lefthand driving car effect righthand driving car. When the learning of one body part will effect the learning of the opposite body part it will called bilatrial learning. e.g. Right hand writing effects left hand writing.

[edit] Factors of transfer of learning

Similarity , Motivation , Previous or past experience , Similarity of stimulus , Retroactive learning , Proactive learning.

Type	Characteristics
Near	Overlap between situations, original and transfer contexts are similar
Far	Little overlap between situations, original and transfer settings are dissimilar
Positive	What is learned in one context enhances learning in a different setting (+)
Negative	What is learned in one context hinders or delays learning in a different setting (+)
Vertical	Knowledge of a previous topic is essential to acquire new knowledge (++)
Horizontal	Knowledge of a previous topic is not essential but helpful to learn a new topic (++)
Literal	Intact knowledge transfers to new task
Figural	Use some aspect of general knowledge to think or learn about a problem
Low Road	Transfer of well-established skills in almost automatic fashion
High Road	Transfer involves abstraction so conscious formulations of connections between contexts
High Road /Forward Reaching	Abstracting situations from a learning context to a potential transfer context
High Road / Backward Reaching	Abstracting in the transfer context features of a previous situation where new skills and knowledge were learned

(+) from Cree and Macaulay, (2000). (++) from Ormrod (2004).

Transfer of Learning - applying the skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes that were learned in one situation to another learning situation. This increases the speed of learning.

[edit] See also

• Classical conditioning
• Gavriel Salomon

[edit] References

• Cree, V., & Macaulay, (2000). Transfer of learning in professional and vocational education. Routledge.
• Ormrod, J. E. (2004). Human learning (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA: Pearson.
• Perkins, D. N., & Salomon, G. (1992). Transfer of learning. International Encyclopedia of Education (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Pergamon Press.
• Schunk, D. (2004). Learning theories: An educational perspective (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA: Pearson.