Schema theory: learning new information depends on relating it to existing mental blueprints¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The article invokes schema theory and cognitive science to explain how the brain structures knowledge. Following Piaget, it holds that "learning new information depends on relating the new to something already known to students," who draw on a schema, or mental blueprint, of reality. Teachers apply this by designing lessons that build prior knowledge before reading, for example showing beach images before a beach text.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Lessons must be designed to build prior knowledge so students can make sense of new material, per the article's application of Sousa.

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• K-12 reading and language arts students

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Reading comprehension of new content-area texts

Claims¶

• Prior Knowledge Impacts Text Understanding [+M]

Related Theories¶

• Cognitivism
• Information Processing Theory

Examples¶

• Use VR tools to provide visual and experiential scaffolding that builds prior knowledge before reading
• Activation
• Activating Prior Knowledge
• Recall prior knowledge
• Association

Key Sources¶

• Pilgrim, J. M., & Pilgrim, J. (2016). The use of virtual reality tools in the reading-language arts classroom. Texas Journal of Literacy Education, 4(2). https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/2374-7404