The relationship between learning approaches to part-time study of management courses and transfer of learning to the workplace

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between students' learning approaches to study on part-time, distance-learning management courses, and transfer of their learning to the workplace. The relationship between these two variables has rarely been considered before, as they emanate from research areas that have remained distinct. Three learning approaches are identified by ASSIST, the instrument used in this study: the deep approach, the strategic approach, and the surface-apathetic approach. Transfer of learning was measured by student self-report. The deep approach was closely related to transfer of learning from the course to the workplace but strategic and surface-apathetic approaches did not show a significant association. Contrary to expectations, academic grades also showed no significant association with transfer of learning. The findings are discussed in relation to cognitive changes proposed to occur during transfer of learning.