Time to Talk About Transfer

May 17, 2020

Reflecting upon my students’ learning and understanding is something I found myself doing quite often this week. If all my students earn an A on a test, does that mean they all achieved their learning goals? Will they remember the learning objectives next year? Will they be able to apply the information acquired in places beyond my classroom? What can I do as an educator to ensure my students develop an understanding for the topics and ideas I teach? These are all very valuable and imperative questions that I have recently examined.

This week, I read a few chapters from the influential book, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. The material confirmed my most important responsibility as an educator is to support and encourage my students to develop a deep understanding of the learning objectives, and to apply their learning from the classroom to the outside world. This process is known as transfer of learning.

According to educator, Larry Ferlazzo , putting transfer of learning into practice requires students carrying over knowledge into all types of situations (Ferlazzo, 2017). In order to prepare my students for what is next, regardless if it is for the next class, next school year, or the next phase in their lives, they must be able to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to different contexts.

There are strategies and techniques educators can utilize to increase the likelihood of transfer of learning for students. In my essay found here, I discuss the concept of transfer of learning, how it occurs, and how teachers can promote it in their classrooms.

References

Bransford, J., Brown, A.L. & Cocking, R.R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience and school. Washington, D.C.:

National Academy Press. https://www.nap.edu/read/9853/chapter/6

Ferlazzo, L. [Education Week] (2017, April 19) What is "transfer of learning " and how does it help students? [Video file].