Transfer of Learning: Cognition, Instruction, and Reasoning

by Robert E. Haskell

Educators and educational psychologists recognize transfer of learning as perhaps the most significant issue in all fields of instruction. Transfer of learning cuts across all educational domains, curricula, and methods. Despite its importance, research and experience clearly show that significant transfer of learning in either the classroom or in everyday life seldom occurs. Simply put, transfer of learning is illustrated by the phrases "It reminds me of..." or "It's like..." or "It's the same as...". This book addresses the fundamental problem of how past or current learning is applied and adapted to similar and/or new situations. Based on a review of the applied educational and cognitive research, as well as on the author's teaching experience with transfer of learning, this book presents a new framework for understanding and achieving transfer of learning. Current education and educational psychology textbooks either lack or lament the lack of research and guidance to educators on promoting transfer of learning. Thus this book is a necessary basis for all instruction and learning. Based on history and research, the book shows that transfer of learning is not just a technique of learning or instruction, but a way of thinking and knowing.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

241 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2000

Reviews

[Doni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly convincing account of what is necessary to effectively learn. How many times has a teacher felt that they have taught something, only to see demonstrations that the students have failed to learn it? Haskell says there are eleven necessary components for transfer of learning. (In other words, being able to apply learning beyond the specific examples or context that from which the learning is acquired.:

1. Learners need to acquire a large primary knowledge base or high level of expertise in the area that transfer is required. No short cuts, no magical thinking can replace learning as much content about the area you wish to understand. Only when you have these base, can you then find parallels between it and other areas.
2. Some level of knowledge base in subjects outside the primary area is necessary for significant transfer.
3. An understanding of the history of the transfer areas.
4. Motivation, or more specifically, a "spirit of transfer."
5. Learners need to understand what transfer of learning is and how it works.
6. An orientation to think and encode our learning in transfer terms (since significant transfer doesn't happen automatically.)
7. Cultures of transfer need to be created.
8. An understanding of the theory underlying the transfer area.
9. Hours of reflective practice and drill.
10. Significant transfer requires time to incubate; it tends not to occur instantaneously.
11. Learners must observe and read the works of people who are exemplars of transfer thinking.

Sound like a lot of work? That's because effective learning is supposed to take deliberate effort.

Though Haskell lauds Piaget is an eminent transfer thinker, he also debunks the long-held notion that children go through natural stages and that they are unable to analogize until older. Haskell supports Dewey and Vygotsky in that socio-cultural context of learning is crucial to consider.

The most salient idea I got from this book is that areas such as logic or Latin have not been demonstrated to transfer to better thinking in general. The only area that has been demonstrated to do this is statistical reasoning.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book for all those interested in learning and teaching in any context. The importance of transfer alone is worth reading most of the chapters. However, the book itself is slightly disjointed with arguments poorly constructed in some chapters. Sadly while there is a wide array of topics covering learning transfer, a decent foundation towards improving learning transfer in various settings remains lacking. However, several directions can be drawn from the book and perhaps that is good enough.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me understand the difference between "training" and "education". Training is better for skill development. Education should include attaining knowledge and incorporating it into our person. Just one of many great things this book offers.

[Jarda Kubalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll learn from a great master if you read this book. Most aspects of transfer of learning are covered in a sytematic, sensible, and very insightful way. Very enjoyable to read and, above all, think while you read.

[Kevin Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is older, it is an excellent overview of transfer of learning.

[Minttu Karjalainen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read it because of uni. Nothing special about it.