Schema theory states that all knowledge is organized into units. When used in education, the word "schema" refers to the system of prior knowledge a student brings to the study of a given subject or topic. Because the brain learns best and most efficiently when making associations and connections between new information and knowledge already processed and understood, teachers can help their students learn by providing opportunities for the students to relate new ideas or techniques to knowledge they have already mastered. Schema theory presents a formal explanation of this process. For example, when an elementary science lesson is being planned to introduce the concept of matter changing from one form to another under given circumstances, the teacher might ask students to explain what happens to an ice cube left on a counter for three days. Based on their previous experiences, the students will realize that the ice melts into water and some will go further to understand that the water evaporates. This is drawing on the students' schema of past experiences and awarenesses to prepare them for learning new terminology and concepts such as solid - liquid - gas.

Schema theory is a theory about knowledge, how you represent knowledge, and how we facilitate the use of knowledge. All knowledge is packaged into units called schemata. As individuals we acquire schemata through experiences (real & vicarious). The separate schema is a device for representing knowledge of a concept which is related to the appropriate network of connections. The more experiences you have the more they are refined, reshaped, corrected, and restructured because of the schemata.

When used in education, the word "schema" refers to the system of prior knowledge a student brings to the study of a given subject or topic. Because the brain learns best and most efficiently when making associations and connections between new information and knowledge already processed and understood, teachers can help their students learn by providing opportunities for the students to relate new ideas or techniques to knowledge they have already mastered. Schema theory presents a formal explanation of this process.Prior to introducing the figuring of sales taxes in a secondary math class, the teacher may have students describe experiences of shopping for items that cost more than the amount listed on the sales tag. By comparing different items, the students will become aware of the pattern that the amount of additional cost increases in proportion to the cost of the original item. Bringing out the students' prior experiences with sales taxes activates the schema of awareness about the topic in preparation for the addition of new concepts or procedures for figuring the amount of such taxes.

The Schema Theory describes how we use prior knowledge to understand and elaborate on new information. This means that teachers need to connect the new material they introduced to something the students already know or can relate to in real life. For examples, if a second grade teacher is teaching a science lesson on classifying rocks, the teacher should bring in examples of these rocks. Then the students can connect the text book characteristics to what they can actual see and feel. Once they see the rocks the students will connect the types of rock the ones they see everyday.

Schema theory discusses how we store information in our brain as proposed by Jean Piaget. The schema theory states that information is stored in categories or compartments in our brain making it easier for us to make connection between new information, prior knowledge, and other forms on the information. For example, when we think of a beach, you probably picture the white sand, clear water, palm trees etc. But if we continue to think about it, then we can picture the crowds, perhaps pollution on the street, dogs running the beach, etc. At first we think of the simple, main picture of a beach but after thinking we can come up with different ideas of the beach.

I agree with M. Lanfear, bring in concrete objects is a great way to help students make the connection.

Schema theory refers to the theory of how we use prior knowledge and how process new and old information. The best way to help students build new memories and learn new things is to make connections and build on the prior knowledge or the information the students already have. For example, if you are teaching something new about the human body, then you would want to start by finding out what your students already know about the human body. A great way to apply this is through different strategies that assess prior knowledge. A KWL chart is an excellent activity that will help the teacher see what the students know about a subject and where to take the lesson in order to ensure the student will be able to make connections and in turn learn new things.

Michelle, you are so funny with the rocks. It was a good example of how a teacher can relate real life with the things the students are learning. This is a great strategy for teaching new things.