The Importance of Connecting New Information with Prior Knowledge
Our brains are constantly processing new information every day, and from this new information, we are required to make decisions, judgments, and evaluations. However, our ability to do this effectively can be enhanced by connecting our new information with prior knowledge. This cognitive process is known as ‘elaboration,’ and it can significantly improve our ability to learn, remember and apply new information.
Why Is Connecting New Information with Prior Knowledge Important?
When we learn something new, our brain processes this information in the context of what we already know. This process is known as ‘encoding.’ The brain uses the knowledge and experiences that we’ve already gained from our past, to make sense of new information that we encounter in the present. When we connect this new information with prior knowledge, we are not only making this process easier for our brain, but we are also forming a foundation of understanding that we can build on.
Think about it this way; imagine you are learning a new language. You wouldn’t start by memorizing every foreign word you come across randomly. Rather, you would learn the most frequently used words first, because your brain could then use this information to connect and make sense of new language structures and phrases. The same applies to connecting new information with prior knowledge in any other field.
How Does Elaboration Improve Learning?
The process of elaboration enhances learning by creating connections between new information and prior knowledge. When we connect new information with existing knowledge, we form new associations and create more complex and durable memories. For example, while learning a new concept, you might connect it with a real-life situation that you experienced, making it more relatable and easier to remember.
Elaboration also improves the transferability of knowledge. Transferability is the ability to apply knowledge in novel situations. When we connect new information with prior knowledge, we can transfer that knowledge and use it later in new contexts. This is because connected information is easier to process, understand and apply.
Connecting New Information with Prior Knowledge in Practice
Now that you understand the importance of connecting new information with prior knowledge, how can you apply it in practice?
1. Activate Prior Knowledge: Before learning a new topic, activate your prior knowledge by asking yourself what you already know about it. This will help you to create connections and make sense of the new information.
2. Relate New Information to Personal Experiences: Relating new information to your personal experiences makes it more relevant, relatable and easier to remember.
3. Make Connections Between Different Pieces of Information: Making connections between different pieces of information can help you to see the bigger picture, and create a more thorough understanding of the topic.
4. Retrieve Information Regularly: Frequent retrieval will increase the connections between the new information and prior knowledge, which will aid recall.
Conclusion
Connecting new information with prior knowledge is an essential process in optimizing learning and memory. By activating prior knowledge, relating new information to personal experiences, making connections between different pieces of information, and frequent retrieval, you can make the most of both old and new knowledge. In doing so, you’ll be able to better understand, connect, and apply new information in different contexts, leading to more successful learning outcomes.
