Activating Prior Learning

Why is it so important that the learning pupils bring to your lesson is “activated”? And what does “activating it” actually entail?

All learning is connected. New learning cannot float free in your memory, it must be connected to what you already know to be embedded and later retrieved. These connections form into networks of knowledge or schema. Each connection adds meaning and serves as a cue to aid future recall. So, supporting pupils to make those connections with new content, will improve not only how well embedded that content is in their memory, but also how easy that content is to recall when it is needed.

Asking questions is a great way to draw out pupils’ prior knowledge, ready to be attached to the new learning. Pre-questions or asking questions about a topic pupils have never studied before, does exactly that. Research from Carpenter & Toftness (2017) also suggested that pre-questions reduce over-confidence and makes pupils more open to new learning by creating a sense of curiosity and engagement.

Questions are not the only way of getting at what pupils already know. Take a look at our new sketchnote below. Here we look at four simple ways to ensure that pupils are focused and connect their new learning effectively.

If you would like to know more about the professional learning we provide or the resources that we create, contact us by clicking on the button below:

Who are we? - We are Finola & Jane, Literacy & Numeracy specialists, with 45+ years of teaching, training & leadership experience between us.

What's our experience? - We have both worked for Welsh Government supporting schools & senior leaders across Wales. We have held senior leadership posts, delivered support to strategic education advisers, both hold school governor posts and have published curriculum support guidance with Oxford University Press...but if you need to know more visit our website for testimonials from schools we've worked with.

Why should you book our support? - Put simply, because we believe in impact. We do exactly what our name suggests. Our workshop keeps things simple and ensures school actions really work. Our focus is always on delivering measurable impact for pupils

Email: enquiries@impact.wales
Website: www.impact.wales
Phone: 02921 679140
Facebook: facebook.com/impactwales123
Twitter: @ImpactWales