The transfer of learning

What is the transfer of learning

the theory explains that the learning and performance of one skill can be affected by the learning and performance of another

how many types of transfer are there

4 types

• positive

• negative

• zero

• bilateral

What is positive transfer

occurs when learning in one task is enhanced by learning in another task

Tends to happen when 2 skills are similar so the movements of one skill help the action of another

e.g. learning a golf stroke may be enhanced by virtue of the fact that the player is a good cricketer

What is negative transfer

 occurs in the initial stages of learning, but in this case the learning and performance of one skill is hindered by the learning and performance of another

There may be some similarity in the skills but it can cause confusion but can cause confusion when they are not similar

E.g. badminton and tennis = played on court divided by net: serving action in tennis uses arm whereas badminton uses wrist action => serve is different => negative transfer

What is zero transfer

there is no similarity at all

e.g. swimming and judo = so different that there is no learning effect from one to the other

When the learning of one skill has no impact on the learning of the other

What is Bilateral transfer

a transfer is learned from a skill transferred from limb to limb across the body => coaches encourage them to use both sides

Happens when the learner of one skill is transferred across the body in the way that a right-footed footballer would be encouraged to use the left foot when required => impact of a shot from the left foot is equal to the impact of the shot on the right foot

 

How do coaches influence positive transfer

1. Offer realistic approach to training and practice => allowing for early success and progress slowly e.g. using cones or rugby tackle bags to be replaced by real people in small games and then full scale games

2. Maintain similar environmental conditions on both situations 

3. Ensure practices replicate the performance environment i.e.  add in defenders