In chapter three Dr. Norris discusses the importance of connecting to prior knowledge. I like her quote "go to their world first before bringing them to ours" (2003, p. 24). When learning any new concepts it is so important to build upon the foundation learners have previously created. One way to activate prior knowledge is the KWL format. KWL stands for Know, Want to learn and Learned. Involving students in the process is imperative when you intend to connect new information into their exising knowledge.
Last semester when studying the importance of prior knowledge I researched concept mapping as one strategy to activate prior learning. Does anyone have some ideas that have worked well for them as a learner or educator?
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I haven't used this but have come upon this idea several times and more and more recently. When reading my book (what best college teachers do), I have a margin note about using a content map to help students understand the structure of how it fits together, not just absorb random bits of info. Perhaps having students build their own map to show how they think it is connected will relate to their prior knowledge?
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