Learning Outcomes:

a. Define transfer of learning and its different types

b. Identify the factors that influence or affect the
transfer of learning
c. Apply principles of transfer in facilitating transfer of
learning
TRANSFER OF LEARNING
• Transfer of learning or
training is a process by
which learning or training in
one situation to carried
over or transferred to the
situation.
• It plays a very important
role in our daily life.
EXAMPLE:
• We learnt arithmetic in
the classroom and apply
it while shopping.
• Learning how to drive a
car helps a person to later
drive a truck.
• Learning of Mathematics
helps in solving a
numerical problems in
Physics.
• According to Sorenson (1948)
Transfer refers to the transfer knowledge, training and habits
acquired in one situation to another situations
• According to Crow and Crow (1973)
The carry over of the habits of thinking, feeling or working of
knowledge or skills from one learning area to another is usually
referred to as the transfer of training or learning.
• According to Peterson
Transfer of learning is generalization for its extension of idea to
new field.
TYPES OF TRANSFER OF
LEARNING
TYPES OF TRANSFER OF LEARNING
1. POSITIVE TRANSFER
2. NEGATIVE TRANSFER
3. ZERO TRANSFER
4. NEAR TRANSFER
5. FAR TRANSFER
1. POSITIVE TRANSFER
• Transfer is said to be positive, when something previously
learned benefits performance or learning in a new situation.

EXAMPLE: A student learns about the concept of fractions in

math class. Later, in science class, they are able to apply this
knowledge to understand ratios and proportions when
calculating the concentration of solution.
2. NEGATIVE TRANSFER
• When something previously learn hinders performance or
learning in a new situation, we call it negative transfer.

EXAMPLE: A student learns to solve math problems using a

specific method in one class. In another class, they are taught
a different method, but they continue to use the old method,
leading to errors.
3. ZERO TRANSFER
• In case the previous learning makes no difference at all to the
performance or learning a new situation, there is said to be zero
transfer from the previous situation to the new one.

EXAMPLE: A student who has learned to play the violin might find
that this skills has no impact on their ability to learn to swim the
butterfly stroke.
4. NEAR TRANSFER
• Transfer between very similar contexts or skills and
knowledge are applied the same way every time the skills
and knowledge are used.

EXAMPLE: A student learns how to solve quadratic equations

in algebra class. They are then able to apply this knowledge
to solve similar equations o a homework assignment.
5. FAR TRANSFER
• Transfer between contexts that seem alien to one
another or skills and knowledge being are applied in
situations that change.

EXAMPLE: A student learns about the importance of

critical thinking in a philosophy class. They are then
able to apply this skill to evaluate information they
encounter in their everyday life, such as news articles
or social media posts.
THEORIES OF TRANSFER OF
LEARNING
THEORIES OF TRANSFER OF LEARNING
1. THEORY OF MENTAL DISCIPLINE
2. THEORY OF IDENTICAL ELEMENTS
3. THEORY OF GENERALIZATION
4. THEORY OF CONFIGURATION
1. THEORY OF MENTAL DISCIPLINE
• Also known as the Faculty Theory
• It tells that education is a matter of training or disciplining the
mind through vigorous mental exercises.

EXAMPLE: Learning to play the piano strengthens memory and

discipline, making it easier to learn new language.
2. THEORY OF IDENTICAL ELEMENTS
• According to Edward Thorndike, transfer of learning occurs from
one situation to another in which there are most similar or
identical elements
• Identical elements such as:
- content - aim
- Method - attitude present in both situations facilitate learning
EXAMPLE: A basketball player who has mastered the free throw
technique will find it easier to learn jump shot because both skills
involve similar arm movements and coordination.
3. THEORY OF GENERALIZATION

• It was formulated by Charles H. Judd

• It means that experiences obtained in one situation are
applicable to other situation.

EXAMPLE: Understanding the principles of fitness, such as

cardiovascular training and strength training, can be applied to
create personalized exercise programs for different individuals
with varying goals and fitness levels
4. THEORY OF CONFIGURATION
• It is based on Gestalt Theory of learning
• Transfer of learning occurs from one situation to another
when generalization, concept or insights developed into a
single learning situation is employed in other situations,
not as parts, but in a holistic manner.

EXAMPLE: Learning the basic movement patterns of

running, jumping and throwing can be applied to carious
sports, such as track and field, volleyball and basketball .
Conditions/Factors affecting Transfer of
Learning:
1. Similarity bet ween two learning situations
2. Degree of meaningfulness/ relevance of learning
3. Length of instructional time
4. Variety of learning experience
5. Context for learner’s experiences
6. Focus on principles rather than task
7. Emphasis on metacognition
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATIONS
LEARNING

The more similar the two Involve students in learning

Similarity between situations are the greater situations and tasks are
two learning the chances that learning similar as possible to the
from one situation will be situations where they
situations transferred to other would apply the task.
situation.
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATONS
LEARNING

Remember to provide
Degree of Meaningful learning
opportunities for
meaningfulness/ leads to greater transfer
learners to link new
relevance of than rote learning.
material to what they
learning. learned in the past
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATONS
LEARNING

Length of The longer the time To ensure transfer, teach

spent in instruction, the a few topics in depth
instructional time greater the probability of rather than many topics
transfer. tackled in a shallow
manner.
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATONS
LEARNING

Exposure to many and Illustrate new concepts

varied examples and and principles with a
Variety of learning
opportunities for variety of examples. Plan
experiences practice to encourage activities that allow your
transfer. learners to practice their
newly learned skills.
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATONS
LEARNING

Relate topic in one Transfer of learning is

subject to topics in other most likely to happen
Context for learner's
subjects or disciplines. when learners discover
experiences Relate it also to real life that what they learned is
situations. applicable to various
contexts.
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATONS
LEARNING

Principles transfer is Zero in on principles

Focus on principles related to each topic
easier than facts. together with strategies
rather than tasks
based on those
principles.
 CONDITIONS/ FACTORS
PRINCIPLES OF
AFFECTING TRANSFER OF
TRANSFER
IMPLICATONS
LEARNING

Emphasis on Student reflection Encourage students to

take responsibility for
metacognition improves transfer of their own learning, and
learning. to reflect on what they
learned.
“ The more understanding,
the better the transfer”