What?

Schemas are mental frameworks or structures that organise and interpret knowledge. They represent an individual's understanding of concepts, relationships, and patterns, influencing how new information is assimilated and accommodated.

When?

The concept of schemas gained popularity in education theory during the 1970s, primarily through the work of Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist known for his influential theories on cognitive development and constructivism.

How?

Teachers can activate and build upon students' existing schemas by making connections to prior knowledge, using analogies, providing real-world examples, and encouraging students to relate new information to their existing mental frameworks.

Why?

Schemas have transformed the way we think about:

• prior knowledge activation

• meaningful learning

• knowledge transfer

• curriculum design

• assessment design