Based Learning 11: KBL — Knowledge-Based Learning

KBL: Knowledge-Based Learning

Knowledge-based learning is learning that revolves around both the knowledge that the student already has, and the understanding that they are going to achieve by doing work. When learning is based on knowledge that students already have, and knowledge they are going to be achieving, the learning is better connected to real life.

Knowledge Kinds:

1. Know-What: Knowledge about facts. Here, knowledge is close to what is normally information.
2. Know-Why: Scientific knowledge of principles and laws of motion in nature, in the human mind, and in society.
3. Know-How: Skills — the capacity to do something.
4. Know-Who: Mix of different kinds of skills, including what might be characterized as social skills. Know-who involves information about who knows what, and who knows how to do what.

KBL Process:

1. Determining Knowledge: Understand the knowledge that students already have. You can do this by talking to students, looking at work that they have already done, or have them explain to you what they know. Knowledge-based learning is best if it is done without too many tests and quizzes.
2. Determining Progress: Teachers must be involved in understanding the basic principles that they have been teaching, and work with students to make sure that learning has taken place.
3. Evaluations: Allow students to show what they have learned, such as through presentations or through group work. Tests and exams can also be used, but should not be relied on for evaluations.

KBL includes:

1. Delivery of the information that the learners needs to know, and in a way that assists them to learn it.
2. Allowing the learners to apply that information, and in ways that reflect how it could be applied in a real situation.
3. Giving feedback to the learners about what they are doing that is correct, and what is incorrect, and (perhaps most importantly!) what makes it correct or incorrect.
4. Guiding the learners through a reflection on their learning.

KBL Strategy:

1. Tell — participants what they need to do
2. Show — them how to do it
3. Do — it themselves
4. Check — that it’s done correctly

KBL Approaches:

1. Knowledge-Based;
2. Design activities which enable the learner to do something with the knowledge, for example, simulate a real ­life situation;
3. Show a link between the learning objectives and the knowledge and activity;
4. Encourage the learner to participate in the activity by providing clear instructions and guidelines;
5. Give feedback to confirm or correct the learner’s understanding;
6. Provide a key point summary.

KBL Benefits:

1. Aims to build upon the knowledge that the pupil already has.
2. There are clear learning objectives set out which link to the activity undertaken, helping the child to see how their existing knowledge will help them to complete the task.
3. Helps the pupil to see how they are progressing and can help to highlight where if any, the gaps are in their knowledge.
4. Easy to pinpoint where more focus is needed.
5. For teachers, this can mean having more one on one time with pupils to talk through how they are finding the task/subject and giving any additional help they may need.

How to Create a Knowledge Base:

1. Collect, or create, copies of the information necessary to build your knowledge base.
2. Organize the collected information.
3. Develop a template so that others can create articles to be added to the knowledge base easily.
4. Create a way to access that information.
5. Create a way to update or reissue the information.

KBL Resources:

1. Edmodo: https://spotlight.edmodo.com/product/based-learning-11-kbl-knowledge-based-learning--389579/
2. Add Love to Kids’ Lunchboxes with these Creative Ideas:https://spotlight.edmodo.com/product/add-love-to-kids-lunchboxes-with-these-creative-ideas--389577/
3. David Kolb’s Cycle of Learning:https://spotlight.edmodo.com/product/david-kolbs-cycle-of-learning--383105/