What is described as the ability to use a learned skill in new and novel situations?

The ability to use a learned skill in new and novel situations is referred to as generalization. This concept is crucial in education and learning contexts as it demonstrates a learner's capacity to transfer skills or knowledge acquired in one setting to another, potentially unfamiliar environment. For instance, if a student learns to apply mathematical operations in solving problems in class, generalization allows them to utilize those same operations when they encounter real-world scenarios, such as budgeting or managing time.

Other options indicate different aspects of learning but do not specifically focus on the transfer of knowledge to new settings. Retention refers to the ability to remember and recall information over time, application denotes the direct use of learned skills in familiar situations, and integration involves combining different skills and knowledge types into a cohesive understanding, rather than applying learned skills to new contexts. Thus, generalization stands out as the correct term for the ability to utilize learned skills in novel situations.