transfer theory

Transfer Theory

The “heart and soul of all learning” is how Dr.Arterbury references Dr. Madeline Hunter’s belief on transfer theory.   Anyone who has ever tickled the ivories can relate to this expression.  One of the first piano pieces learned is the elementary version of the musical arrangement, “Heart and Soul”.  Once that piece has been successfully practiced, over and over again, the fingers begin comfortably moving to and fro on each key.  This finally becomes so natural that is it done without having to even look at the notes.  When this level of learning has been established other notes and chords can then be added to embellish the once difficult song.  This allows the transfer of the learning process to utilize the skills acquired and implement the knowledge to a more complex level, thus relying on what was previously learned and transferring that to a similar yet new level of application.   I learned how to teach in my undergraduate classes, but it wasn’t until I was trained with Dr. Hunter’s Model of Effective Teaching that I transferred that basic knowledge and applied it to a higher level.  This method taught me how to go from a good instructor to a great instructor.  This is how I plan to continue to use the transfer theory of learning as I move into higher levels of administration.  I will never stop being that facilitator of instruction, whether it be to students, parents, faculty, staff or administrators. Each position I hold will allow me to pull from my skills previously learned and implement those skills in a deeper more complex way. Great teachers turn into great administrators because they never loose sight of what was learned for their classroom success.  Great administrators turn into great superintendents because they never forget what was learned for their campus to be successful.  Great superintendents turn into great leaders because they never forget how to continue to transfer their knowledge acquired along the way and continue to grow in depth and complexity making every situation a transfer not only in theory but in proof.