Where'd you learn to do that?

As my two-year-old reaches for a ball under the car with a broom, I think, "Where the heck did he learn that?" On reflection, I realize that a few days previous, he had seen me act out a similar scenario when I used a long plastic rod to reach for a toy under the couch. By applying what he had learned previously to this new scenario, he had demonstrated a transfer of his learning.

Understanding Transfer

Everyone applies learning to a variety of situations, almost thoughtlessly. Do you have to "re-learn" to drive when you rent a car? Not really. (Just make sure you know which side the gas tank is on.)

But have you ever thought about how that happens? Thorndike & Woodworth (1901) were some of the first to conceptualize the phenomenon of transfer. Following their research are myriad studies that reflect on how transfer happens and how it can be improved. Ultimately though, transfer requires deep understanding of a subject to successfully apply those lessons to other settings.

This week I read a few chapters from a famous text on teaching. Chapter 3 of How People Learn (Bransford & Cocking, 2000) goes in-depth on the phenomenon of transfer and ways it can be improved through greater understanding of a subject or discipline.

Transfer and Technology

As an IT professional, the implications for how technology can be used not just for teaching, but also CREATING learning experiences ARE FASCINATING. I wrote an essay on the topic, with focus on ways to identify technological misunderstanding, and also to facilitate deeper understanding; all with the intention of promoting greater transfer to the use of other technologies.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go play Wii Bowling. With enough time I think I'll have a shot at the PBA...

"Wii bowling" by TheMuuj is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

References

Bransford, J. L., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school (pp.58). (Expanded Edition). National Academy Press.

kunal lakhani. (2014, December 30). I’m sure my petrol cap was on this side [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vupgBykQnko

Melekian, Bradley. (2007, March 15). But Coach, I Practiced in the Living Room. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/15/fashion/15Fitness.1.html?smid=url-share

TheMuuj. (2007, September 14). Wii bowling [Digital Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/themuuj/2197251710/in/photolist-4mauob-4kXJrL-4kTG4t-4kTFYg-4matPh-4kXJ1Q-4kTFRX-4masJq-4m6rVc-4mauzw

Thorndike, E. L. and Woodworth, R. S. (1901) "The influence of improvement in one mental function upon the efficiency of other functions", Psychological Review 8:247-261