Far Transfer

Small Wonders

Transfer of Learning: To take something from one context and apply it in another.

For many teachers, this is the goal of their job; to impart specific knowledge to students that they can use in the wider world.

However, the transfer of learning isn't about just getting things right - it's about being able to get things wrong too.

Researchers have found getting it wrong can yield a greater transfer of learning.

To focus on only being right is to limit ourselves - shut ourselves off from amazing possibilities.

The best learning occurs when we know what is right and what is wrong.

The Apostle Paul writes about this to his "dear son" Timothy in the New Testament.

Paul was willing to be treated as wrong for his answer - even though it was the right one.

The transfer of learning that goes the farthest is not learning only for learning’s sake, but one that pursues the truth, specifically as communicated in this letter, the truth of God.

"… continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 14-17