March 30, 2009
Discussion Board
Learning Theories and Knowledge Transfer
One of the vital issues to focus at when analyzing any learning theory is the aspect of transfer of learning. This is considered as an important factor. It is considered as a significant idea, that it is a field of research in its own right. Many of researchers and practitioners in the field of education work hard in order to understand how to increase the transfer of learning, which can help in order to teach for transfer (OTEC, n.d.). However, it is important to consider that different categories of learning theories have different characteristics and definition of the impact of knowledge transfer in the learning process.
In the theories of behaviorism, the topic regarding the transfer of knowledge focuses on the overt behaviors or those factors which can only be observed and measured, or focus on the belief that the mind can be considered as a black mind, which it only response to the different stimulus which can be observed in quantitative manner, and totally ignoring the possibility of thought processes occurring in the mind (Mergel, 1998). On the other hand, the theories of cognitivism believe that it is important to open the black box in order to be understood. This is because the theorists in this category believe that opening the black box of human mind is valuable and mandatory in order to understand how people learn. It is important to focus on the aspect of thinking, memory, knowing and problem-solving (Cognitivism at Learning-Theories.com, n.d.). Thus, it includes further entities in the learning development and transfer of knowledge of individual. Constructivist believes that both behaviorism and cognitivism were lacking in the factors and entities who are involved in the process of learning. This is because the said category of theories focuses not only on the different behavioral or observable factor and the huge impact of the society, but also pertains on the big participation of individuals’ selves. This theory believe that the transfer of knowledge happens because of the own initiative of the student.
It is important to consider that the first place to practice the transfer of learning is within the classroom, because it makes much easier to transfer skills and knowledge to the job. Transfer of learning is considered as a phenomenon of learning in more quickly manner and developing a deeper understanding of the task that people bring some knowledge or skills from their previous learning. Thus, in order to produce positive transfer of learning, it is important for the teacher to focus on proper planning and implementation of lessons and activities (Clark, 2000).
There are different activities and programs which can be done by the teachers in order to ensure positive transfer of knowledge or learning. It is important to take note that, positive transfer is most likely to occur when the learner identifies the common features among concepts, principles or skills; deliberately relate the information in memory; at the same time, sees the value of using what was learned in one situation in another (Schunk, 1996 cited from). This can be achieved by teaching subject matter in meaningful rather than repeating contexts; utilizing informed instruction; lecturing subject matter in context as similar as possible to those in which it will be employed; offering opportunities in order to practice employing the subject matter in a settings that represent the full range of eventual applications; offering opportunities for distributed practice after the information has been originally learned; and encourage positive attitudes toward subject matter, so that students will feel inclined in order to focus with, rather than avoid topics when they are encountered elsewhere (School of Education, n.d.).
References
Clark, D. (2000). Transfer of Learning. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from Skagit Water Shed website: http://www.skagitwatershed.org/~donclark/hrd/learning/transfer.html.
Cognitivism at Learning-Theories.com (2009). Learning Theories Knowledgable. Retrieved March 27, 2009, from Cognitivism at Learning-Theories.com website: http://www.learning-theories.com/cognitivism.html.
Mergel, B. (1998). Instructional Design & Learning Theory. University of Saskatchewam, Retrieved March 27, 2009, from USASK website: http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/mergel/brenda.htm
OTEC. Learning Theories and Transfer of Learning. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from OTEC website: http://otec.uoregon.edu/learning_theory.htm.
School of Education. Transfer of Learning. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from School of Education website: http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/edpsybook/Edpsy6/edpsy6_transfer.htm
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment