Glossary / Lexicon

Knowledge-transforming strategy means deciding what information to include and how best to organize it to convey a point

In the context of psychology, the knowledge-transforming strategy is a cognitive learning strategy that focuses on actively transforming and restructuring new information to fit with pre-existing knowledge. This strategy is used to help learners better understand and retain new information by actively processing and organizing it in a way that makes sense to them. By connecting new information to existing knowledge, learners can deepen their understanding of new concepts and more easily remember them over time.

There are many examples of how the knowledge-transforming strategy can be used in various educational settings. For instance, a teacher might ask students to read a passage from a textbook and then write a summary of the information in their own words. This process of summarizing requires students to actively process the information and connect it to their prior knowledge, making it easier for them to remember the key points of the passage.

Another example might be a science teacher who asks students to generate hypotheses based on a set of experimental data. This process requires students to actively analyze and synthesize information, drawing on their prior knowledge to develop explanations for the data.

Some other similar cognitive learning strategies that are related to the knowledge-transforming strategy include:

1. Elaboration: This strategy involves expanding upon new information by connecting it to pre-existing knowledge. For example, a student might elaborate on a new concept by connecting it to a personal experience or by providing additional examples.

2. Organization: This strategy involves structuring new information in a meaningful way to help learners better understand and remember it. For example, a student might organize new vocabulary words into categories based on their meaning.

3. Metacognition: This strategy involves thinking about one's own thinking and learning process. Students who use metacognitive strategies are more aware of their own strengths and weaknesses as learners and can adjust their learning strategies accordingly.

4. Critical thinking: This strategy involves analyzing and evaluating information to make informed judgments. Students who use critical thinking strategies are able to weigh evidence and make reasoned decisions based on that evidence.

Overall, the knowledge-transforming strategy is a powerful tool for helping learners better understand and retain new information. By actively processing and organizing new information, students can deepen their understanding of concepts and make connections between new and existing knowledge. By incorporating this strategy into their learning process, students can become more effective learners and better prepared for success in academic and professional settings.