If
there is any effect of previously learned knowledge, skills and experience on the
latter or new learning, that is called transfer of learning. The transfer of
learning can be of three types depending upon whether the former learning has positive
or negative or neutral effect on latter learning.
i.
Positive transfer of learning:
If previously learned knowledge,
skills or experience assists in learning new knowledge, skills and experience
that is called positive transfer of learning. We can exemplify, if a person who
can cycle want to learn to drive bike, they are supposed to be assisted and the
learning will be accelerated. Where there is positive transfer of learning, the
learning will be facilitated.
ii.
Negative Transfer of learning:
If previous learning creates barrier
in learning new knowledge, skills and experience that is called negative
transfer of learning. We can exemplify, if a a light vehicle driver learns to
drive trucks, they feel difficulty first and their learning may claim more time
and effort.
iii.
Zero transfer of learning:
If the previously learned knowledge, skills
or experience has not any kind of effect on the latter learning, it is called
zero transfer of learning. This type of transfer may be defined as no transfer
of learning. To exemplify, a novice of basic course of computer feels either
ease or difficulty in learning even if he is expert in swimming. There is zero
transfer of learning because previously learned activities has nothing to do
with the latter learning in this case.
10.2 Theories of transfer of
learning:
Transfer of Learning depends upon various
principles which are actually defined as theories of transfer of learning.
i.
Theory of Mental Discipline:
This theory is also called the theory of formal
discipline or Faculty theory. It is the oldest among theories of transfer of
learning being introduced before 20th century by Plato. The
philosophers like Aristotle, John Locke also contributed to support this
theory. According to this theory, there lies internal faculties within human
mind including memory, reasoning, imagination, attention etc. All the learning
increases the power of these faculties just like physical excercise increses
the power of musclea. This theory believes that every learning promotes the
capability of person by using their individual potential. It discards the zero
transfer of learning because it believes that when a person learn new
knowledge, skill or experience, he is facilitate by his former learnings in
some context.
ii.
Theory of Identical elements:
This theory was introduced against theory of mental
discipline by EL Thorndike in 1901. According to this theory, transfer of
learning is not possible in all contexts. There must be some kind of common
things between former and latter learning to exist transfer of learning. As an
example of this theory, a person who can write in hindi can learn to write in
Nepali faster because of transfer of learning.
iii.
Theory of Generalization:
This theory is based on the cognitive learning theory. It
was developed by Charls Henry Judd in 1908 after long time of research and
study. According to this theory, if and only if a learner has the capability to
generalize about his former and latter learning, transfer of learning becomes
possible and vice versa.
10.3 Educational implications
of transfer of learning:
Learning
becomes worthless if it has no effect in latter learning. So every former
learning is supposed to support the latter learning. It means learning any
chunk of knowledge, skills or experience is difinitely the product of transfer
of learning. Not only that, transfer or learning also enriches the quality of
students by promoting their ability of generalization. Some implications of
transfer of learning are:
i.
To select and organize appropriate subject
matter.
ii.
To develop ability of generalizing knowledge.
iii.
To evaluate learning ability to apply previous
learning experience to a new situation.
iv.
To help students to apply their theoretical
knowledge.
v.
To emphasis on utility of subject matter.
vi.
To provide importance to transfer of learning.
10.4 Factors influencing
transfer of learning:
Mainly:
i.
Learners
ii.
Learning Process
iii.
Transforming Environment
Other Factors:
i.
Mastery of subject matter
ii.
Attitude towards subject matter
iii.
Learning methods
iv.
Capacity for generalization
v.
Opportunity for transfer of learning
vi.
Autonomy for transfer
vii.
Practice
viii. Availability
of common elements
ix.
Organization of subject matter
x.
Selection of subject matter