Schema

	What we know already is called prior knowledge or schema.
	If you don’t have the schema or background knowledge then something will make little or no sense. (Try showing something in another language)
	Schema is the framework of knowledge drawn from life’s experiences.
	Schema is an abstract, flexible and growing cognitive framework with slots that can be filled in by the personal and vicarious experiences of a reader.
	It is govern by contextual factors: function and situation

Difficulties with Schema

	Reader may not have the schema
	Reader may have the schema but author may fail to provide enough information or clues for reader to recognize it.
	Reader may select wrong schema and have to shift to another when material doesn’t fit.
	Cultural differences affect perspective when interpreting text.

Terms Associated with Schema

	Accretion refers to learning new information that is added to existing information in a schema.
	Tuning refers to modifying existing schema because of new information.
	Concept generalization refers to making changes that allow the schema to become useful in interpreting a larger class or concepts or event.
	Restructuring refers to the creation of new schemas from old schema.

Implications for Teaching

	Need to assess the background knowledge so to provide relevant and meaningful learning experiences.
	May need to help activate or select correct schema for comprehending.
	May need to create a new schema for an unfamiliar concept.
	May need to provide examples to help students modify or tune existing schema