schema theory in teaching

Schema theory in teaching suggests that our brain organizes knowledge into mental frameworks or "schemas" based on past experiences. When learning new information, these schemas help us understand and connect it to what we already know. Effective teaching builds on students' existing schemas, making new concepts more meaningful and easier to remember. For example, if a student understands the concept of a "dog," they can more easily learn about "dogs' behavior" or "dog breeds" because these ideas fit into their existing schema about dogs. This approach promotes better comprehension and retention of new material.