Motivation to transfer learning to multiple contexts

Abstract

To stay up-to-date in contemporary information intensive societies it is important to be able to effectively and efficiently find, evaluate, process and present required information. In educational contexts training in these so-called information literacy competences is mainly the domain of institutional libraries. Essential to education is the long-term transfer of learning, that is the application of newly acquired competencies also outside the training environment. Research learns that this often takes place sparsely, leading to what is called a Transfer Paradox. The aim of this study is to develop a practical instrument for instructional designers to measure the influence of a set of key variables on the learner's motivation to transfer learning to the wider educational and the work context. Two hundred and thirty-four students of the Open University of the Netherlands doing an information literacy course filled out a questionnaire before entering the course. Data was analyzed using factor analyses and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results show that the opportunity to apply new learning and sanctions from supervisors are two important factors that influence the learner's motivation to transfer learning in both the study and the work context already before the course has started.