Transfer Theory

Transfer of learning is very important to the educational process.  Teachers and school leaders want students to be able to learn a concept in the school setting and then transfer that learning into a personal or professional setting.  Students should be able to attain knowledge and skills that they can use in any environment.  This learning should be beneficial both immediately and in the future.  When a student uses transfer of learning, they are transferring their knowledge from one problem-solving situation to another.  One example of transfer of learning that I have experienced personally is when I moved from private education to public education.  I taught in private school for four years.  I taught the students using curriculum purchased by the school, implemented discipline procedures, communicated with parents, and performed my duties to the best of my abilities.  At the end of my fourth year of teaching, I decided to move to public education. I was able to transfer what I learned during my teaching experience in private education, but I had to adapt and change to meet the needs of a different set of students and parents.  I also had to learn how to use the TEKS as a guide for my lesson planning and teaching.  I believe that the requirement to have leadership experience before beginning superintendent certification is very important.  When I earned my mid-management degree, I thought I understood the role of an assistant principal.  There is a big difference between taking classes and interning as a campus leader and actually being in the position of campus leader.  The same holds true for district leadership.  Anyone who wishes to aspire to earn their superintendent certification should first be in a leadership position.