What is defined as knowledge that students have already acquired prior to a new lesson?

The concept being referred to is known as prior knowledge. This term encompasses the information, skills, and experiences that students possess before encountering new instructional content. It is an essential aspect of learning because it helps educators understand how to connect new lessons to what students already know, thereby facilitating better comprehension and retention.

For instance, when a teacher introduces a new mathematical concept, they might first assess what students already understand about related topics, such as addition or subtraction. By tapping into this prior knowledge, the teacher can build a bridge to the new material, making it easier for students to grasp and integrate the information.

While background knowledge shares similarities with prior knowledge, as it also includes information that a student brings to the learning environment, prior knowledge specifically refers to what has been learned and retained prior to a specific lesson. Foundational knowledge typically pertains to the essential skills and concepts upon which future learning is based, rather than what students already know before new instruction. Experiential knowledge relates to insights gained through personal experiences, which may or may not align with academic content.