What term describes the ability to apply skills learned in one context to another situation?

The term that describes the ability to apply skills learned in one context to another situation is generalization. In educational settings, particularly in special education, generalization is a crucial concept because it allows students to transfer the skills they have acquired to different environments, tasks, or situations beyond where the learning originally took place. For example, if a student learns how to resolve conflicts in a structured setting, generalization would mean they can apply those same conflict-resolution skills during unstructured playtime or in their interactions outside of school.

This skill is essential for promoting independence and adaptability in learners, particularly those with special needs who may struggle with transferring knowledge across various contexts. Building opportunities for generalization into instruction helps reinforce learning and ensures students can operate effectively in a range of real-world scenarios.