KWL Plus Extensions (Reflection)
KWL Plus Extensions (Reflection)
In the new form of KWL (Know, Want to know, Learned) chart (Know, Want to know, Learned) plus extensions (reflection), it becomes not only a traditional tool but also a reflection educator. The added reflection component helps the students assess their understanding and experiences that they have had after finishing a topic and therefore it helps them deepen their knowledge and learn critical thinking skills.
What is the purpose of the KWL Plus Extensions in educational settings?
KWL Plus Extensions are the tools that serve to deepen the engagement of students with the learning material through the students' reflection on their prior knowledge, the articulation of their learning goals, and the assessment of their learning outcome. The reinforcing of understanding is the essential contribution made by this process besides the promotion of metacognition, which makes the students succeed in becoming more aware of their individual learning strategies and their individual outcomes.
How can teachers implement KWL Plus Extensions in their lessons?
A teachers' introduction of the KWL Plus Extensions procedures can start with having students fill out the KWL chart at the beginning of the lesson to gauge what they know and what they want to learn. After the class, students will be completing the reflection component, through which they will have the opportunity to discuss or write about what they learned, how their thinking changed, and if they have any further questions. For example, in a science class, after the lesson on ecosystems, the students can think back to their changing conception of the interdependence of species in the learning process.
What are the benefits of incorporating reflection in the KWL framework?
Adding the element of reflection to the KWL framework makes it more effective for students to self-evaluate and critically analyze the ways they learn and their learning results. This process allows them to acknowledge their development, pinpoint areas of confusion, and draw up new learning goals. A case in point is a student who is recalling a history lesson might discover that at one time, they believed that a specific event was simply straightforward. But right now, they see it in a more complicated way, thus, they are triggered to look deeper into the matter.
Can KWL Plus Extensions be used across different subjects?
Of course! KWL Plus Extensions are not only relevant to but also can be across a range of subjects, such as science, history, literature, and mathematics. A case in point is during a literature lesson where kids may use the KWL chart to show their current knowledge about a novel, say what they are going to read about, themes they wish to delve into, and, Lastly, reflect on their interpretations after reading and thus develop their analytical skills.