Transfer of Learning: Types and Theories (2024)

Introduction:

The concept of transferability of learning has different aspects and can be defined by situation, context, and behaviors.

Content:

The main purpose of any learning or education is that a person who acquires some knowledge or skill in a formal or structured situation like a classroom, or a training situation, will be able to transfer such knowledge and skills to real-life situations and adapt himself more effectively.

The purpose of any teaching-learning interaction is to bring about a generalization and application of what has been learned in specific situations to real-life situations and acquire a general capacity to adapt.

There are three types of transfer of learning:

1. Positive transfer:

When learning in one situation facilitates learning in another situation, it is known as a positive transfer. For example, skills in playing the violin facilitate learning to play the piano. Knowledge of mathematics facilitates to learn physics in a better way. Driving a scooter facilitates driving a motorbike.

2. Negative transfer:

When learning of one task makes the learning of another task harder- it is known as a negative transfer. For example, speaking Telugu hindering the learning of Malayalam.

Left-hand drive vehicles hindering the learning of right-hand drive.

3. Neutral transfer:

When learning of one activity neither facilitates or hinders the learning of another task, it is a case of neutral transfer. It is also called as zero transfer.

Two important theories explain the transfer of learning. These are known as modern theories.

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.

This theory explains that carrying over from one situation to another is roughly proportional to the degree of resemblance in a situation, in other words- more the similarity, more the transfer.

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. Theory of generalization assumes that what is learned in task ‘A’ transfers to task ‘B’ because in studying ‘A’, the learner develops a general principle which applies in part or completely in both ‘A’ and ‘B’.

Experiences, habits, knowledge gained in one situation help us to the extent to which they can be generalized and applied to other situations.

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.