Learning transfer is when a student can use what he or she has learned in one setting in another. It’s an important part of learning because it lets students put the skills and knowledge they’ve learned in the classroom to use in the real world.
A Qualified Professional’s Opinion
Julie Stern is a world-renowned expert in knowledge transfer; she has undertaken substantial research in this field and co-authored “Learning That Transfers: Designing Curriculum for a Changing World.” Stern’s work provides a comprehensive strategy for examining and promoting learning transfer in the classroom. Stern contends that information transmission is a complicated process influenced by elements such as the learner’s past knowledge, the specifics of the task, and the classroom environment. She also emphasizes the significance of adjusting the curriculum to fit the requirements of a changing society.
Assisting with Knowledge Transfer
According to Stern, providing students with relevant and real-world projects is essential for increasing information retention and application. Genuine assignments are modeled after real-world circumstances and are directly related to the course’s learning objectives. Teachers can improve the transferability of their students’ learning by assigning projects with real-world applications to their students.
It is also critical to provide students with the resources they need to apply their knowledge in new contexts to improve learning transfer. This includes providing pupils with relevant materials, coaching, and practice/feedback sessions. Teachers can increase the possibility of transfer and ensure that students can apply what they’ve learned in the real world by providing the required resources.
Practical Examples of Strategies for Promoting Learning Transfer in the Classroom
Tasks that are authentic and relevant: A history teacher could plan a course in which students generate a historical document, such as a newspaper article or diary entry, from the perspective of someone living during a specific historical event. This exercise is directly related to the class’s learning goals and objectives and is similar to a real-world situation, which can boost the possibility of transfer.
Giving pupils the help they need to apply what they’ve learned in new situations: A math teacher could provide online resources and tutorials to help pupils learn, as well as opportunities for practice and feedback, such as in-class worksheets and quizzes and one-on-one tutoring. This can aid students’ understanding and application of mathematical principles in real-world settings.
Incorporating real-world problem-solving: A science teacher could construct a session in which students are asked to address a real-world problem, such as proposing a sustainable solution to a local environmental issue, while applying scientific concepts and principles acquired in class. This allows students to use their knowledge in a real-world setting, which increases the possibility of transfer.
Encourage students to reflect: An English teacher could add reflection activities into their class, such as writing prompts, group conversations, or journals, in which students are asked to reflect on how the literature they are reading connects to their own lives and experiences. This can assist pupils in better understanding and applying literary concepts in real-world circumstances.
Provide a variety of learning activities: A teacher of any topic could provide students with various learning activities that match the course objectives, such as group work, independent research, or hands-on projects. This enables students to interact with the material in the way that best suits their learning styles, increasing the possibility of transfer.
Key Takeaway
Last but not least, the ability of students to apply what they have learned in one context to another is an integral part of education. “Learning That Transfers: Designing Curriculum for a Changing World,” co-authored by Julie Stern, provides insightful knowledge into the factors required for effective transfer of learning as well as strategies for promoting transfer in the classroom while taking into account the needs of a dynamic and ever-changing global community. Teachers can better prepare their students for real-world success and facilitate information transfer by including these tactics in their classes.