”We interpret and remember events by building connections to what we already know.”
PETER BROWN, Make it stick
What we know informs what we can learn.
When we draw connections from our existing knowledge to what we are learning we are better equipped to let old ideas go and replace them with new.
Activating a learner’s prior knowledge makes it easier for them to learn new things.
You can ask learners about their past experiences to help them learn new concepts.
Knowing how they learned difficult concepts in the past can help learners handle new learning challenges.
Connecting ideas also provides context and structure for learning.
Skill Building Methods
Ask learners to list what they know about a topic. Build the new topic from their existing knowledge. Ask learners, “How is this like something you’ve experienced?” Ask learners, "What do you already know?"
References & Resources
