Peer Teaching: The 5 E's of Prior Knowledge

The 5 E’s of Prior knowledge 

Danielle, Bryan and Lynsey         

Have you seen?  Do you notice? How many long? How many ways?  Can you find a way to? What happens if…..?  These are all questions that can be used when trying to evaluate our student’s prior knowledge of a certain subject or area of interest. 

The 5 E's is an instructional model based on a more constructivist (a learning strategy that draws on students' existing knowledge, beliefs, and skills) approach to learning.  Using the 5 E’s when teaching is a way to let students (of any age really) build or construct new ideas on top of their old ideas. The 5 E's can be used with students of all ages, including adults.  How do we incorporate these E’s?  Here’s how.

Each of the 5 E's describes a phase of learning, and each phase begins with the letter "E": Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. The 5 E's allows students and teachers to experience common activities, to use and build on prior knowledge and experience, to construct meaning, and to continually assess their understanding of a concept.

Engagement

*Object, event or question used to engage students.

*Connections facilitated between what students know and can do.

Exploration

*Objects and phenomena are explored.

*Hands-on activities, with guidance.

Explanation

*Students explain their understanding of concepts and processes.

*New concepts and skills are introduced as conceptual clarity and cohesion are sought.

Elaboration

*Activities allow students to apply concepts in contexts, and build on or extend understanding and skill.

Evaluation

*Students assess their knowledge, skills and abilities. Activities permit evaluation of  a student’s development and lesson effectiveness.


ALL KA STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE: The study guide is available on Blackboard. Lynsey, Danielle and Bryan have specifically asked you to print out page 3, and I recommend that you download it all in preparation for class.       Prof. Hodde