3.3.1 Hands-on Digital Activity: Activate Prior Knowledge
Exploring Digital Tools to Activate Prior Knowledge
The Importance of Activating Prior Knowledge
Research in cognitive psychology has shown that students learn by linking new information to their prior knowledge of a topic. (See for example 8 Strategies Robert Marzano & John Hattie Agree On.)
In this case, you want to get the students to think about their research topic, ask themselves questions and share their ideas with others. You could ask them to brainstorm in pairs, with each student writing down what they already know about the topic.
There are a variety of collaborative tools that can be used to activate prior knowledge. We propose a hands-on digital activity to introduce you to three of these tools so you can select one to use in your classroom.
Instructions
Step 1: We invite you to explore three digital tools that you can use to activate your students’ prior knowledge. These tools can be used to brainstorm collaboratively or create collaborative word lists, word clouds and/or mind maps.
Padlet tutorial (11:26)
Padlet
Padlet is a collaborative application that allows students to create virtual bulletin boards where they can share resources and information, brainstorm and create word walls or mind maps. Students can create a Padlet board on their own and collaborate with peers. It is also possible to record an audio file to accompany a presentation.
Padlet is also available as a downloadable application. You can sign up with Google, Microsoft or Apple.Mentimeter tutorial (6:43)
Mentimeter
Mentimeter is an interactive presentation software that teachers can use to poll their students and display results in real time. Several poll formats are available: word clouds, scale questions, ranking questions, multiple-choice questions, etc.
The teacher sends the poll to their students using a link or code. Group results are displayed on the screen in real time. Individual responses are not recorded.Jamboard tutorial (23:49)
Jamboard
Jamboard is a digital whiteboard in Google Workspace that can be used collaboratively to take notes, draw diagrams, insert images, etc.
Step 2 - Creating Your First Digital Pedagogical Activity
- Select a digital tool you would like to use in your classroom and produce your first digital pedagogical activity related to your research topic.
- Share your ideas (optional) with other educators using our Padlet. You can also draw inspiration from what others have already shared.
- Save the link to the activity in your participant booklet.
Badge opportunity
You can receive the “Apply” badge by completing the required activity in the badge section.