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Transfer of Learning

Transfer of learning refers to the application of skills or knowledge acquired in one context to another, which is a key goal in education. It can be categorized into positive, negative, zero, horizontal, bilateral, and unilateral transfers, each with distinct characteristics and implications for learning. Effective transfer is influenced by factors such as motivation, teaching methods, and the learner's readiness to generalize knowledge across different situations.

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20 views

Transfer of Learning

Transfer of learning refers to the application of skills or knowledge acquired in one context to another, which is a key goal in education. It can be categorized into positive, negative, zero, horizontal, bilateral, and unilateral transfers, each with distinct characteristics and implications for learning. Effective transfer is influenced by factors such as motivation, teaching methods, and the learner's readiness to generalize knowledge across different situations.

Uploaded by

Tripti Singh
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Transfer of Learning: Concept and

types
Transfer of Learning
Learning of one skill is used in another skill is the transfer of
learning. Eg. Learning hockey and the skills used in cricket. Transfer
of learning is one of the major goals of modern education. Education
is worthwhile if it can be transferred

Definition of Transfer of learning

1. According to Crow and Crow: “The carry over of habits


of thinking, feelings or working of knowledge or skills
from one learning areas to another is usually referred to
as Transfer of learning”
2. According to Sorenson: “ Transfer is refers to the
transfer of knowledge, training and habits acquired in one
situation to another situation”
3. Acoording to Judd : “ Transfer is a form of
generalization”
4. According to Guthrie: “ Transfer may be defined as a
process of extending and applying behaviour”
Characteristics of the transfer of learning:

1. All education should partake of the nature of the transfer.


The curriculum must be practical and must make
provisions for transfer to out of classroom situations,
knowledge, habits, skills, abilities and attitudes acquired
in the classroom
2. Subject matter must be chosen in terms of the learner’s
present and future needs. The subject matter should
point towards a way of life, fundamental of which are
mastered in such a way that the learner can apply them
progressively in the varied experiences of his life.
3. The transfer is dependent upon the teaching and learning
methods. The transfer is also enhanced by motivation.
There is convincing evidence that powerful motivation
and the desire to succeed aids transfer. Thus, if people
work without the desire to enhance the amount of
transfer, no transfer will take place.
4. Transferability of learning outcomes depends upon the
pupil’s readiness and willingness to learn. The transfer is
enhanced by an emphasis on the principle of
generalisation. It depends upon the ability of the
individual to generalize past experience acquired in one
situation and to apply it to new situations.
5. Teaching has less transfer value unless facts, habits,
skills and attitudes are generalized and related to other
situations in which they can be utilized.
6. Transfer of learning is to a considerable degree
determined by intelligence.
Also Read: Brainstorming Techniques

Types of Transfer of learning or Training


The following are the different types of transfer of Learning

Positive Transfer: Positive transfer occurs, when knowledge acquired in one


situation helps the learner to acquire knowledge, skills or principles in another situation much
faster. For example learning of mathematical principles enables the learner to acquire
principles in physics. There are many illustrations of positive transfer in the school setting,
which can be mentioned here: For example, learning grammar in any language and writing
compositions in the language.

The learning of biology and agriculture Learning of physics and mathematics

Learning of chemistry, biology and Agriculture, Mathematics, geography, business


Education, Chemistry and Physics. Positive transfer indicates a positive relationship between
particular topic areas in given subjects or even two or more content areas in different
subjects.

Positive transfer can operate at two levels. These are:

1. Lateral transfer (horizontal)


2. Vertical transfer

1. Lateral transfer

Lateral transfer occurs when a learner is exposed to content that is applicable to another
subject or situation at the same level. For example, a child who is trying to learn basics in
arithmetic discovers that (4*9=36, 9*4=36), (3+5=8, 5+3=8) is transferring knowledge
laterally or horizontally. Secondly, when a learner acquires the basic skills of baking a cake
in school he applies the knowledge to bake at home horizontally. He will use the same
ingredients, the same measures and the same baking methods as learned at school.

Thirdly mathematical skills and principles taught in form one helps the learner to acquire
principles and skills to master form-one physics. So this kind of transfer is applicable at the
same level and is basically foundational.
2. Vertical transfer

Vertical transfer occurs when knowledge is applied to other learning’s at a higher level either
in the same subject or in another subject. For example form one mathematics series is a
foundation for form two, form three, and form- four mathematics. This happens at all
applications of subject areas in an ascending order. For vertical transfer to occur the subject
should be well mastered at the foundational levels so that learning is given a chance to
generalize and become useful further along the learning process. For example when a pupil
masters simple grammatical rules he is enabled to speak correct English, write competently
and to study other subjects in English as well. Also when a pupil masters simple arithmetic
and numeracy he is enabled to acquire complex concepts in mathematics and physics.

Negative Transfer: Negative transfer occurs when content in a subject or in two


different subjects has a negative influence o one another. This happens when what is learned
in one situation hinders or inhibits what is learned in another situation. For example, if a
learner is introduced to two new languages, which are similar at the same time, negative
transfer occurs. A learner who is learning English and German at the same time experiences
difficulties mastering both languages simultaneously due to inhibition or interference.
English interferes with German and vise versa. Negative transfer operates much the same
way as proactive and retroactive inhibition does. Before mastering of each is achieved there
is a lot of back and forth movement and even mix-up of English and German words.
Consequently this brings about a slowed process or retardation in the learning process.

However, with enough practice and mastery of both negative transfer is minimized and even
eliminated all together.

Zero Transfer: This refers to acquiring knowledge, skills or principles that


are not transferable from one situation to another. This occurs when there is
no relationship between one subject and another one. Therefore, learning one
subject has no effect on the other one positively or negatively. Examples of
zero transfer can be illustrated by the learning of mathematics and Kiswahili.
Unless Kiswahili is used as a language of instruction in mathematics there is no
other relationship between the two. Mathematical principles will not help a
learner understand Kiswahili principles or vice versa.

Other examples can be illustrated between geography and music or fine art
and biology. These two pairs of subjects share no meeting ground. Each is
independent from the other in terms of facts, skills, principles and technical
jargon. The learning of one is independent from the learning of the other and
does not inhibit nor enhance the other.
Horizontal Transfer: When knowledge of one subject helps in
understanding the other subject. Eg. Knowledge of the history of the
Vedic period helps in understanding the literature of that period, it is
called horizontal transfer.

Bilateral Transfer: When the training given to one part of the body
is transferred to another part is called bilateral transfer. Eg. Writing
with the right hand may be transferred to the left one

Unilateral Transfer: When the learning stored in one area is


required by another area with the latter not sending its responses
back, it is unilateral transfer.

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