Transfer Theory

Transfer theory of learning to me is the application of your skills and knowledge that you have learned in one learning situation and taken it to another learning situation.  By doing this you increase your speed of learning.  An example of transfer theory of learning would be a high school math class teaching the metric system of units. From the math class, the students go to their science class.  The science teacher reports that the students have a good knowledge base about the metric system. Essentially a transfer of learning has occurred from the math class to the science class.  I believe transfer theory applies to the requirement to have leadership experience because I good place for a leader to evaluate or make sure transfer of theory is taking place is in the classroom.  This makes it much easier to transfer new skills and knowledge to the job. Transfer of learning is the influence of prior learning on performance in a new situation. If we did not transfer some of our skills and knowledge from prior learning, then each new learning situation would start from scratch.  When you and your administrative team are doing learning walks or focused walkthroughs you can see if this is happening in the classroom.  We as administrators have all been in the classroom before as teachers and now you are being viewed as an instructional leader.  We have to remember the teacher matters and with focused teaching that will promote accelerated learning.  With that in mind the students will put forth effort in the classroom and start to make connections and that will produce achievement.  That to me is how the transfer theory of learning applies to having leadership experience.