A Learning Design to Support Transfer of Training in Continuing Education.

Transfer of training refers to the application of what has been learned in formal educational settings to the workplace. While technologies for workplace learning have gained ground in recent years, there is less of a focus on learning designs that bridge formal and workplace learning contexts and effectively support transfer. We present a design-based research intervention in which we developed a learning design guiding learners through several stages of planning, transfer attempt, and reflection. We demonstrate implementation of the learning design with a cohort of students in two continuing education courses and an evaluation with the teaching staff. Data collected during implementation suggests that students had strong transfer intentions and were successful in attempting transfer, but that reflection needs stronger scaffolding and social support. We propose adaptations to the learning design including conversational guidance and automated analysis of free texts collected from students in the transfer process.