1. Activating Prior Knowledge Lecture Preparation

2. How did you prepare for the lecture? Select one:
A. I didn’t bother - it takes too long
B. I tried to read the text from start to finish
C. I just sort of skimmed the text or syllabus to get the gist of it
D. I read the text and tried to learn as much as
I could before the lecture
E. None of the above

3. Activation of Prior Knowledge
Demonstration of how the failure to activate prior knowledge interferes with understanding, recall, and problem solving

4. Activation of Prior Knowledge
Demonstration of how the failure to activate prior knowledge interferes with understanding, recall, and problem solving

5. Benefits of Preparation
Improves understanding
activates (initiates) prior knowledge
sets up expectations - focus - needs
Increases interest - keeps you awake
Note-taking is better and easier
you know what’s in your resources
Makes learning faster and easier
Reduces post-lecture learning time

6. The procedure itself is actually simple. You sort into different groups. Sorting is not necessary is the quantity is minimal. If facilities or your location are not adequate, you have no choice but to go elsewhere, despite the inconvenience and time cost. It is important not to over do things. In the short run, this may not seem important but complications can easily arise. A mistake in sorting or quantity can be irreversible. The first time you do it, the whole procedure will seem complicated and tedious. Soon, however, it will become routine and more efficiently done. It is difficult to foresee any end to the necessity for this task in the immediate future. After the procedure is completed one arranges the materials into different groups again. Then they can be put into their appropriate places. Eventually they will be used once more and the whole cycle will then have to be repeated, probably throughout life.

7. Preparing for Lectures
Activation of prior knowledge – accelerates understanding and improves recall
Well-organized knowledge is retained better and supports problem solving

8. Preparation Analogies
Opera – read the synopsis
Sports – the rules of the game
Mystery Novel – read preview

9. Lecture Preparation Goals
Activate prior knowledge
Engage interest
Provide a focus for attention and listening
Limit and focus note taking

10. Lecture Preparation: How to?
Look/skim for:
overview
organization
relationship to other lectures and topics

11. Lecture Preparation Ask: What’s the “big picture”
What’s in my resources?
How much text is devoted to each topic?
Any good charts, diagrams, pictures?
What do I already know about this area?
Are there some basic terms and concepts I could learn beforehand?

12. 1. Assess content, topics, organization and distribution
Read the introduction or overview then look through the syllabus and/or text.
How is the information organized?
What are the major sections and subsections of the syllabus or chapter?

13. 1. Assess content, topics, organization and distribution.
If you have more than one source, what is the relationship between topics and organization of the two?
How much space is devoted to each section?
How much text is allocated to each topic?

14. 2. Activate Prior Knowledge
Brainstorm and list information that you already know about this topic from previous course work, reading or experiences
Answer the following:
What topics are likely to take more time to learn than others?

15. 3.Search for visuals to summarize/clarify
Peruse the syllabus or text chapter
Are there any good summaries, diagrams, charts, or graphs that might be useful?
Review the pictures, graphs, diagrams, and captions carefully.
Think about why the instructor/author took time to create such a summary or illustration.

16. 4. Develop a focus of attention and interest for the lecture
What do you expect to learn in the lectures?
Write three questions that you expect will be answered during the classroom sessions.
Why might this topic be important or relevant to the practice of medicine?

17. 5. Begin the process of learning the basics
List terms or topics that you think it would it be useful to know a bit about before going to the lecture.
What terms are you unfamiliar with?
What concepts are new to you?

18. 6. Begin to develop a framework for your own summary
What types of summaries do you think might be needed for this content?