Definition

Transfer of learning occurs when people apply information, strategies, and skills they have learned to a new situation or context.

Why?

Learning takes place in various contexts and enhancing learning requires transfer.

Transfer depends on whether a common representation can be found/communicated.

How to?

Do

• Demonstrate worked examples with varied contexts in a contiguous manner

• Allow students to do active comparison [1]

• Respond to self-explanation questions in a worked example

• Allow students to practice with different authentic tasks within their ZPD and provide appropriate feedback. (Related: Active Learning, Zone of Proximal Development, Provide Feedback)

Do NOT

• Provide examples in only one situation

• Only repeat the exact same practice

Reference

[1] Loewenstein, Jeffrey, Leigh Thompson, and Dedre Gentner. "Analogical encoding facilitates knowledge transfer in negotiation." Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 6.4 (1999): 586-597.