1.2 Know, Want to know, Learned (KWL)

60 minutes

Reflection is key to relating knowledge to your own experience. Each week you will be asked questions to help you reflect on what you have learnt and how it relates to your own teaching practice. Let’s start off by thinking about the following question:

What do I want to get out of this course?

A KWL chart is an effective technique to help you to identify your personal goals and track your progress throughout the course. A KWL chart is used to:

  • identify what you already Know
  • consider what you Want to know
  • record what you have Learned.

‘KWL charts are useful at the start of a lesson to activate and consolidate what has already been learned, but can also be used as an Assessment for Learning strategy in the middle of a lesson as students monitor their learning and progress.

When using a KWL chart, the most important principle is that students can reflect on what they know (K) and what they want to learn (W), which could include revision of partially forgotten material. Later, either as the lesson progresses or at the end of the lesson by way of a plenary, they record what they have learned (L). Completing the L column consolidates the new knowledge and understanding and evidences progress. Some groups benefit from including an additional ‘F’ column for Finding Further information and an ‘H’ column for How To Find this information.’

(From 'Approaches to Learning and Teaching in Global Perspectives: A Toolkit for International Teachers' by Keely Laycock, September 2017)


In this course you are going to post your KWL chart into your journal.  Here is an example of a personal KWL chart: 


At the end of every week, you will be updating your KWL chart to review the work you have done and to start thinking about the next week's topics.

At the end of the course you will have the opportunity to reflect on how your needs have been met and the impact the course will have on your teaching.

You can structure your thoughts in your own way. For example, you could use one KWL chart for the whole course, or start a new one each week.

 

  In your journal make some notes on these questions:

  • What do I Know about IGCSE Geography?
  • What do I Want to know about IGCSE Geography?

 

If you have any questions or observations about any of the information in this lesson, please come and share them in the Week 1 class discussion.