Transfer of Learning | types and theories

Introduction

Transfer of Learning, It is the opinion of the educational psychologist that the knowledge obtained by the study of any subject proves useful in other subjects and situations. Often it is seen that the learning of any One action and subject helps in the learning of another action and subject. Ancient Psychologists have given important place to some subjects in the education. It was their opinion that mind can be trained properly by these subjects. It is the statement of Plato— “If geometry is taught to a dull minded, necessarily he will get
some intelligence. The person, who will read geometry, will be intelligent enough to understand all the subjects than any other person.’’ It is the opinion of Educationalist Locke that by the teaching of maths, a man is judicious and he can transfer this judgmental power to the learning of other subjects.

Transfer of Learning, In the current times, the changes are going on in this method of training the mind. From the educational point of view, for getting success, the use of any learnt subject can be done in other subjects. In education from the syllabus-creating point of view, transfer Theory has an important place in learning. Here, learning transfer and training transfer, two Words have been used. Learning transfer means to make a use of self-acquired knowledge in other situations by students. The word “training” includes both learning and teaching; thus, both the Words are related to application. So here, for comfort, the learning transfer word has been used.

Meaning of transfer of learning

In education, transfer of learning means ‘To make use of learnt application and subject in other situations. In other words, acquiring knowledge in other subjects and situations is affected by the acquired knowledge in one subject and situation, is called the transfer of learning. For example, the knowledge which is gained in learning maths helps in the learning of physics, chemistry, and statistics. This application is called the transfer of learning. In this way a child uses his general knowledge of math in the buying of things in the market. It is evident that there is a transition of education in some form in related fields.

Definition of transfer of learning

• “Transfer of learning means that performance on one task is affected by performance on another task.” – Velon and Veanstein
• “The carryover of habits of thinking, feeling, or working of knowledge, of skill, from one learning area to another is usually referred to as the transfer of training.” – Crow & Crow
• “Transfer is the application to carry over knowledge, skill, habits, attitude, or other responses from the situation in which they are initially acquired to some other situation.” – Callesanik
• “Transfer is discussed to carry over the knowledge, training, and habit acquired in one situation to another situation.” – Prof. Sorenson
• “Transfer is generalization, for it is an extension of an idea to a new field.” – Peterson

It is evident from the above definitions, that, to make use of earlier learnt, acquired knowledge, skill, habits, or other responses in other situations, is called transfer of learning.

types of transfer of learning

Positive Transfer—When the learning of one subject proves useful in another subject, it is called positive learning.
For example, knowledge of the subject of mathematics is helpful in acquiring knowledge of physics; the skill of cycling is helpful in learning scooter or motorcycle.

Negative Transfer—When the learning of one subject and skill hinders in the learning of another subject and skillfulness or produce complication, which is called negative transfer.
For example, knowledge of English typing creates obstacles when learning Hindi typing.

Zero transfer—when the knowledge or skill acquired in one situation is neither impeded nor helpful in the other situation or in the task of acquiring new knowledge or skill, and then this type of transfer is called zero transfer.

For example, knowledge of Hindi subject is neither helpful nor a hindrance in learning mathematics.

Horizontal Transfer—When skill and knowledge of one subject affects in the learning of other subjects’ skills and knowledge, it is called horizontal transfer. This Transfer occurs between two subjects in a class.
For example, in the tenth class, a student’s math-related learning helps in the study of Physics. We call this type of transfer positive horizontal transfer.

Vertical Transfer—When the talent and knowledge obtained in a situation proves helpful in obtaining knowledge of related subjects. Moving further, it will be called positive vertical transfer.
For example, learning math in class eight proves notes affect the learning of math. in tenth class by a student.

Unilateral transfer—when the efficiency of one organ of body affects the other related talent of the same organ, then, this type of learning will be called lateral transfer.
For example, the skill of Hindi writing by the right hand affects the skill of Sanskrit writing.

Bilateral Transfer—When the acquired efficiency by one organ of the body affects the efficiency of another organ, then this type of transfer will be called bilateral. transfer.
For example, a man learns to write with right hand but according to the need he can also write with his left hand, even though he has not practiced writing with his left hand. We can see in this situation that the talent of the right hand was transferred to the left hand.

Theories of Transfer of Learning

After understanding the concept of transfer of learning, it is necessary to know how
transfer happens. For this, it is necessary to study the different theories of transfer. These theories are the following:

Faculty theory of Mind This is also known as the formal discipline theory or mental discipline theory of learning transfer. This theory depends on the old faculty of psychology. According to it, the mind is made after mixing up many faculties, like observation, memorization, imagination, theory of identical elements. The founder of this theory, Thorndike, confirmed this on the basis of his experiments: when there is similarity between the subjects and the contents of two experiences, there is more possibility of transfer. If there is similarity between both, the acquired knowledge of one subject proves fruitful in the study of another subject. As math knowledge in physics and in statistics, history’s knowledge in political science, psychology’s knowledge in educational psychology, and the knowledge of philosophy help us in the study of educational philosophy, and we do not feel complicated. The main reason of it, that the identical parts and elements are found in these subjects. According to Sir Gates, “It is seen that there is a higher ratio of transfer in the identical elements.” That’s why during the time of selecting subjects, students try to select the subjects that have identical elements in some parts.

As- Selecting political science with current history. cussion, and decision. These strengths are different and free from one another. After training them and doing practice, they can be made fast. And they can be used skillfully in any situation. For example, if the faculty of memory is trained, it is necessary to learn those words, which are not useful for the person at that time. Therefore, it is the opinion of followers of this theory that logical power can be trained by math, and then it helps in the learning of those subjects in which logical power is needed. According to this theory, the selection of the learning subjects should be done in this way, by which the mental faculties could be strengthened. Current psychology does not accept the division of mental faculties, so this theory cannot be accepted.

Theory of Identical Elements The founder of this theory, Thorndike, confirmed this on the basis of his experiments: when there is similarity between the subjects and the contents of two experiences, there is more possibility of transfer. If there is similarity between both, the acquired knowledge of one subject proves fruitful in the study of another subject. As math knowledge in physics and in statistics, history’s knowledge in political science, psychology’s knowledge in educational psychology, and the knowledge of philosophy help us in the study of educational philosophy, and we do not feel complicated. The main reason is that the identical parts and elements are found in these subjects. According to Sir Gates, “It is seen that there is a higher ratio of transfer in the identical elements.” That’s why during the time of selecting subjects, students try to select the subjects that have identical elements in some parts. As- Selecting political science with current history.

Theory of Generalization The founder of this theory is Mr. Charles Jud. According to this theory, when a person finds out a general theory with the support of his experience, study, and knowledge, he can transfer it to other situations. Explaining this theory, Mr. Jud has said, “According to this theory, development of individual skill, complete possession of individual facts, and attainment of individual habits and instincts have less importance in other situations from the transfer point of view—till then skillfulness, facts, and habits are not orderly related to those other situations in which they could be used. It is evident from the above statement that a child should be given education not only for discipline in one situation but also should be trained for good conduct and behavior at different times or in different situations.

Two factor Theory This is also known as ‘G’ and ‘S’ factor theory. The founder of this theory is Spearman. According to him a child needs a general and individual capability for the learning of each subject. General capability or intellect is used in every sphere of life. But individual intellect is used in the specific situation. General intellect helps a man in every situation, so general capability and element is transferred, not individual elements. History, Geography and Literature are related to general capability, but drawing, music etc are related to individual capability.

Conditions of Transfer of learning

• Generalization Much as a person is capable in finding the general theory or rule on the basis of his previous experiences, there is transfer of training.
• Understanding Identical knowledge is acquired after the understanding of anything very well. Consequently, there is more transfer. So, it is better to understand any subject well for the transfer of teaching.
• The degree of mastery on the subject–matter More the skill is gained after the deep studying of any subject, more transfer of that subject into others subjects is possible.
• Deliberation If a man after keeping his previous experiences tries to understand the new situation or subject by the effortful and proper education methods, there is the transfer of teaching.
• Attitude toward the material of transfer A person’s positive attitude towards the material of transfer proves helpful in the positive transfer.

Educational Importance of Transfer of Learning

Transfer and syllabus The most important use of transfer is for the development of syllabus. For the discipline in the children, the favorable syllabus should be prepared, means it includes such subjects which are useful and related to the problem of daily life. The nature of syllabus should be practical.

Transfer and Teaching method A teacher should provide the education by the proper method for the positive transfer. They should be given education in such a way that he could make the use of acquired knowledge of one subject, in the learning of other subjects. Child should also be given necessary guidance for the transfer.Children should be told identical element related to subject for the transfer of one subject’s knowledge in to other subject. For this it is necessary to pay attention to the rules of association. For the success of transfer, a teacher should try to make his subject more interesting.

Generalization A teacher should follow such an educational method during the time of teaching, following which the student could himself find out the general theory related to subject. Student should be provided opportunity and should not be interfered in that. After developing the characteristics of generalization, child uses it soon in the new situation. It is the statement of Handrix related to it “The child who has the knowledge that after multiplying six by eight makes forty-eight, he can soon tell that 8 chairs in 6 rows are 48.’’ So, whatever a teacher teaches should be taught on the basis of generalization. There is more possibility of transfer with it.

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