Job Talk: Research on transfer and implications for learning and problem solving
N. Sanjay Rebello
Department of Physics
Kansas State University
Transfer of learning is often described as the overarching goal of education. 聽The talk will begin with a brief review of how the theoretical perspectives on transfer of learning have evolved over time and present one perspective of transfer that has served as an overarching framework for some of the projects in our research group over the past few years, in particular two projects that are based on this perspective.聽 The first focuses on non-science majors constructing their conceptual understanding of friction at the microscopic level.聽 The second focuses on facilitating transfer of the concept of mathematical integration to problem solving in a calculus-based physics course for future engineers.聽 Finally, I will discuss how our perspectives on transfer of learning inform some of our ongoing work on the use of visual cues to facilitate problem solving in physics.
Professor Rebello is a candidate for the Tomlinson Chair in Science Education. His biography follows:
N. Sanjay Rebello is Associate Professor in the Physics Department at Kansas State University where he joined the faculty in 2001.聽 His research has been in the area of transfer of learning with applications to problem solving.聽 Most recently his research has focused on transfer of problem solving skills from mathematics to physics by future engineers as well as the use of visual cueing to promote problem solving in physics.