Transfer of learning

Question 1

What is the theory of transfer?

Answer 1

The effect of learning and performance of one skill has on the learning and performance of another.

Question 2

List the four types of transfer.

Answer 2

Positive
Negative
Bilateral
Zero

Question 3

Define the term ‘positive transfer’.

Give an example.

Answer 3

The learning of one skill aids the learning of another.
It tends to occur when the skills have a similar form.

E.g. similar actions of a basketball pass and netball pas.

Question 4

Define the term ‘negative transfer’.

Give an example.

Answer 4

The learning of of one skill hinders the learning of another.
It usually occurs when the skills seem to be similar, but are not identical and may contain an essential difference.

E.g. badminton and tennis are both played on a court divided by a net, but the action of the serves for example are different. Tennis serve (arm action). Badminton serve (wrist action).

Question 5

Define the term ‘zero transfer’.

Give an example.

Answer 5

The learning on one skill has no effect on another.

E.g. the skills in golf and in swimming contain no similarities.

Question 6

Define the term ‘bilateral transfer’.

Give two examples.

Answer 6

Skills are transferred from one limb to another, from one side of the body to another.

E.g. A footballer using their right and left foot to shoot.
E.g. Basketballer has perfected the lay up with his right hand, and may now want to transfer this skill to his left hand.

Question 7

Identify some strategies that a coach could use to ensure positive transfer.

Answer 7

• Make training as realistic as possible
• Ensure skill is well learnt and the performer is well motivated and confident before moving onto a more advanced skill.
• Learning in groups of activities requiring similar abilities (e.g. sets of passing and catching as both require coordination).
• Coaches should point out similar elements of skills/ point out elements that may hinder learning.
• use rewards/ positive reinforcement to encourage the repetition of good technique/ skill.

Question 8

How does transfer of learning impact skill development?

Answer 8

• Bilateral transfer of learning impacts skill development in a positive way, as it makes the player less predictable, more skilful and harder to compete against.
• Positive transfer of learning impacts skill development in a positive way as knowing a similar skill would aid a performer’s ability to learn a new skill more quickly.
• Negative transfer of learning impact skill development in a negative way, as it would halt learning and make the performer use the wrong technique. The skill would have to be learnt from scratch, which could be time consuming.