Transfer Theory In Education

Transfer theory of learning states that one is taught a skill or learns from an experience and then uses that information to make future decisions, to make better choices, using prior knowledge to guide the next step taken. Dr. Artebury gave a great example of how we learn to tie our shoes and how we transfer this from one pair to another and even with different laces we still use the prior knowledge to complete the task and hopefully be successful. This occurs from at a very early age and guides the choices and decisions we make in new situations.

 An example using today’s technology is the use of a smart phone. Here we are combining characteristics of a computer and a phone in one. We all have experience with a phone and a computer and we try to transfer this prior knowledge to the use of this new smart phone. There are new aspects that the smart phone will offer that can be seen as a challenge or an asset. At first, it is easy to be frustrated, but then we remember the things we already know about our phones- call waiting, speaker phone, the directory, etc. The more we use it the easier it is to use. Then when we combine a camera with this and internet service we tread slowly until confidence is built. We then take for granted how quickly we can access the internet, how we can link pictures to our contacts and how we no longer have to memorize people’s phone numbers as they are all at our fingertips. We then transfer the new experiences and knowledge we obtain from these smart phones to our laptops, our desktops, our computers in our cars, and from all of this our knowledge continues to grows. It is easy to see how we use prior knowledge to learn more.

To enter a program such as ours, one year of leadership is a requirement and in my opinion this is very important. Prior leadership experience helps as the experiences you go through in one year as a campus leader teaches you a tremendous amount in so many areas that can be transferred to the superintendency. Dealing with parents will not disappear the further up you go, they will be more intense and the prior experience you have had dealing with parents prepares you for the “bigger” deals a superintendent will have to deal with. As an administrator, you learn about so many different aspects of evaluation and appraisal of employees and as a superintendent personnel is one of the biggest headaches. Having appraised someone, having to explain their areas of proficiency and helping teachers grows gives you some skills that you will transfer when you have grievances to deal with or when you listen to a hearing. Without these experiences, you view these situations with different lenses and that can be detrimental to your success as a superintendent. Your experiences impact a lot of your opinions, as well as how you are respond to these situations. Therefore, experience is respected and many times a prerequisite to superintendent positions.