Knowledge is not only cumulative—it grows exponentially. Those with a rich base of factual knowledge find it easier to learn more. The rich get richer. —Daniel T. Willingham, How Knowledge Helps
What is background knowledge?
Background knowledge refers to what a person knows about a topic. In reference to students, background knowledge is what they already know about a topic before we explicitly teach. According to Robert Marzano, "What students already know about the content is one of the strongest indicators of how well they will learn new information relative to the content."
Why does background knowledge matter?
When students possess a strong knowledge base, they are better able to think, speak, read, and write about a variety of topics. Having knowledge provides opportunities for students to participate, comprehend, and extend their learning more deeply and in new ways. Supporting knowledge building in the classroom is essential to student success. It is also essential to providing students equitable learning experiences. We know all students do not come into the classroom with the same experiences and knowledge, but that doesn't mean we lower our expectations or make excuses for an inability to learn. With intentional, strategic planning that integrates knowledge building opportunities, all students can have rich, engaging, and relevant learning experiences.
Integrating Tech Tools to Build Knowledge
Technology serves many purposes in the classroom. Technology can be used to play, collaborate, scaffold, create, and to learn. Tech tools can also be used to build knowledge. As a classroom teacher, I would intentionally plan "Knowledge Building" days into units of study. For example, when launching a new science unit about plants, students were provided a webquest in a Google Doc. I digitally shared the webquest with students in the Learning Management System where they had access to hyperlinks to websites. I reviewed each site carefully to ensure the content was safe and age-appropriate. Students would read, play games (see PBS kids for a game related to pollination), and watch videos related to the unit of study. I would include a question or two at each website. These questions were: What did you learn? What did you see? What did you notice? What did you already know? These types of questions allowed them to reflect on their learning in the moment, as I would focus on conceptualizing the learning in future lessons. This low-stakes experience was designed for them to take time building knowledge at their own pace. Students were encouraged to collaborate with peers along the way. They asked each other questions, communicated using the content-specific vocabulary, took notes, and drew pictures in reflection journals. They were building their knowledge of a topic by accessing targeted content prior to receiving explicit instruction.
3 Tech Tools + App Smashing = Knowledge Building & Engagement
Students can use Google Arts and Culture to browse artworks, landmarks and world heritage sites. This tool also provides digital exhibitions that tell the stories behind the archives of cultural institutions across the world. This can be used in conjunction with a book or novel study, a time in history, an author, a famous person, or a geographical study. App Smashing Tip: Provide students with a Google Doc or Microsoft Doc template to guide their knowledge building experiences using Google Arts and Culture. Have students take their reflections in their Google or Microsoft Doc to the next level by creating a Blooket to play with others.
Can't visit the characters in the book you are reading? Can't visit the animals you are learning about in science? Can't go back in time to visit the battlefields in social studies? No problem. Use Virtual Field Trips as a tool for students to learn and experience with their eyes and ears. Of course, allowing students to collaborate along the way engages them in discussing what they see, hear, think, and wonder. App Smashing Tip: Provide students the opportunity to blog or microblog in Google to write about their virtual field trip experiences. They can write fictional narrative entries in a blog as though they were physically at the place they virtually visited. Encourage them to use details and images in their blog posts to teach others whey they know! Don't stress about the writing process here, just let them write for fun.
Merge EDU digitally engages students in science and STEM. Using the website only, students can see images and read to learn about science. Merge EDU provides various collections with images, vocabulary, and definitions. The Merge EDU app allows students to launch lessons with 3D objects and simulations they can touch, hold, and interact with. Many science topics are complex, but Merge EDU makes the learning exciting and engaging.
App Smashing Tip: Have students share their knowledge about a new topic in a digital Google Sites portfolio. Students can create pages on the Google Site by adding text, images, and videos to show what they learned. Once the teaching begins, they can just keep adding to their portfolio of knowledge!
Integrate Tech Tools with Ease
As you prepare for a new unit, consider how you can integrate tech tools to engage students in low-stakes knowledge building experiences. Experiment with different tools and choose the ones that will work best for you and your students. Start with one tech tool and notice how students respond. Ask them what they enjoy and how they like to show their learning. Take their feedback into consideration when integrating tech tools in future activities. Engaging students in relevant opportunities to build knowledge makes learning fun and purposeful.
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