‘Signs and services’ to help you with learning transfer.
Ger’s Learning notes #14
Transfer included?
Instant relief. That’s what I feel as soon as a plane hits the runway after a long flight.
I recently visited South Africa to work with my new colleagues. It took me 12 hours to fly from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. Shortly after landing, you realise that you first have to get your stuff together and overcome some barriers before you can get out of the airport. And then, part two of the journey starts: the transfer to your final destination.
The same goes for learning journeys. Your students may get that ‘touchdown’ feeling after finalising a course, a training or any other learning activity you’ve created for them. But they will soon discover that they need an additional ‘transfer’ to get them to the final destination of the successful application of the learning in their job.
At airports, you can find many signs and services to support you with your transfer. Are you providing the same to your students?
In this edition of the learning notes, you’ll find some ‘signs and services’ to help you with learning transfer. Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
(1) Six brain hacks for better learning transfer
by @Emma Weber
What’s it about?
Emma Weber is ‘the Queen of learning transfer’ – a real thought leader when it comes to this topic. She interviewed neuroscience expert Colleen Lightbody on brain insights related to learning transfer.
Why read it?
- There are different angles to approach the challenge of learning transfer. Learning transfer has to be designed and organised. It’s very relevant to know the most important insights for learning transfer, from neuroscience to design learning, in the most effective way.
- You’ll find the explanation at brain level—how a certain ‘brain hack’ works combined with the practical ‘how to’. A very nice combination.
- If you want more detailed information, you can also listen to the podcast of the interview; the link to the podcast is provided.
Where to find it?
Six brain hacks for better learning transfer
(2) The benefits of a good night’s sleep – TED Ed video
by Shai Marcu
What’s it about?
Improving the transfer of learning is not only about putting in more effort or doing an extra activity. Effective learning also needs rest. The video explains why.
Why read it?
- Many people seem to be busier than ever before. In some organisations or teams, it seems ‘cool’ to say you can survive with only five hours of sleep per night or think that sleep is a waste of time. But, if you want your brain to work in an optimal way, then sleep is very important.
- The video explains processes in the brain and the function of sleep – also related to learning and different forms of learning.
- Think about how, where and when you will include a portion of ‘sleep’ into your learning design and then – sleep on it!
Where to find it?
The benefits of a good night’s sleep
(3) Why is learning transfer so hard?
What’s it about?
Connie Malamed explains the phenomena of transfer of learning, shows the most important barriers and describes how to overcome these barriers.
Why read / watch it?
- First, the idea of ‘far transfer’ and ‘near transfer’ are explained. It is important to understand transfer in different situations.
- The approach in this article is a smart combination of looking at barriers to transfer first and to do so with the ‘classical approach’ of the before-during-after view of learning.
- Like always, Connie Malamed will give you some useful tips and the finest additional resources when you want to dig deeper.
Where to find it?
Why is learning transfer so hard?
(4) Eight tips to improve knowledge transfer in eLearning
What’s it about?
It is a ‘big post’ by BigThink. This organisation shares very interesting insights of the world’s most-renowned thought leaders in many areas.
Why read it?
- Christopher Pappas is the founder of the huge eLearning Industry Network – who else has a better overview of relevant tips?
- I like that he combines tips from different areas, starting with analysis, applying the design of transfer within e-learning and designing the context of the learner.
- If you apply these tips, you’ll turn your e-learning ‘automatically’ into a blended learning solution.
Where to find it?
Eight tips to improve knowledge transfer in eLearning
