Transfer Theory of Knowledge

The transfer theory of learning is the process by which an individual transfers knowledge or skills from one setting and applies it to another. The skills applied to the new situation will be very similar to the original. A good example of transfer theory of learning is driving. I am using an example from personal experience. When I was around ten years of age, my father taught me how to drive a tractor. I learned how to steer the tractor in the direction that I needed to go. I also learned how to use the clutch and the gear shift to shift the tractor into a higher or lower gear. Finally, I was taught how to stop the tractor by using the brake pedal. By combining all of these skills, I was able to drive the tractor successfully. When I reached the age to drive, I applied the skills that I learned from the tractor to the vehicle, which was a truck. When first learning to drive a truck, I knew how to steer the vehicle. I understood the purpose of the accelerator and the brakes. Obviously, the major adjustment was sitting inside of the cab and the size of the truck compared to the tractor.

I believe that it is important to have leadership experience as a requirement for this course. When an individual has prior experience as an educational leader such as a principal or assistant principal, it allows a person to have point of reference to understand and complete the assignments. Speaking from experience, I have referred to my experience as an assistant principal to complete the assignments from the first week. The first assignment required the cohort to review the three domains and ten competencies. We were to evaluate ourselves and determine if we believed the competencies were areas of strength, competency, or need of improvement. When reviewing the competencies, I used my prior knowledge to work through the assignment. It is very beneficial to have experience before starting the Superintendent Certification program.