Transfer Theory

Reflections: Transfer Theory

The Importance of Transfer Theory

Knowledge and skills learned at one position can be valuable to an employee when transferred to another position.  Knowledge and skills learned in school can be used in and outside of school.  Prior knowledge can be beneficial when learning new knowledge.  A person in education that is interested in moving to a higher position will have a clear advantage over the employee who has little or no prior knowledge moving to a new position.

An Example of Transfer Theory

Football coach A, in high school conferences with the parents of one of his football players who has a horrible attitude.  Football coach A works with the parents of his football player in developing a plan for correcting the football player’s attitude so that the player can be successful.  Coach A then moves to the position of assistant principal B and has a conference with the parents of one of his students who also has an attitude problem.  The assistant principal B works with the student’s parents  in developing a plan for correcting the student’s attitude so that the student can be successful.  In the first example coach A uses the knowledge and skills learned to solve a problem, and in example B the football coach who is now the assistant principal B, uses his  prior knowledge to solve a similar problem.  This is an example of the Transfer Theory.  Knowledge used in one position transferred to a different position to resolve the same problem.

Why Transfer Theory applies to the requirement to have leadership experience

Prior learned knowledge and skills affect the way in which new knowledge and skills are learned.  From the video with Dr. Arterbury, he suggested that from teaching many years in the Internship program, it was apparent that those professionals with campus or entry level administrative experience tent to gain a significant greater level of understanding of the superintendent level responsibility.  And that campus or entry level administrative experience usually has greater success in the program because he/she is able to transfer the knowledge and skills learned on the job to the superintendent certification program.