Transfer Theory - the heart and soul of all learning

According to the discussion in this week’s video between Dr. Elvis Arterberry and Dr. Steve Jenkins,   Dr. Madeline Hunter is quoted as saying, “Transfer theory is the heart and soul of all learning.”  Teaching for transfer is one of the most important goals of education.  Transfer of learning is the way in which a learner applies problem solving skills from one situation to another.  Transfer of learning occurs when a learner applies a skill previously learned to a new similar learning.  An example in the video was that of  learner being able to tie brown cotton shoe laces and then applying that to white nylon shoe laces without difficulty.  In the workplace, transfer of learning occurs when a learner takes the skills acquired in one learning environment (i.e. school) and applies them to the new learning environment (i.e. work).  Prior learned knowledge and skills affect the way new knowledge and skills are acquired.  Therefore, in this superintendency program, it is important that the participant/learner have at least one year of campus or entry level administrator experience so that they have a set of prior knowledge in which to apply the new central office administrator or superintendent skills.  While the skills in the campus/entry level administrator role are similar to the central office/superintendent role, there are slight differences.  A participant who has the campus/entry level administrative experiences is able to transfer their learning to the new set of central office/superintendent level skills.