Schema Theory and Comprehension

Going into our lesson about schema I had no clue what this word meant. I have heard of schema before, but was always a little unsure of its meaning. Schema is what the reader brings to learning or their background knowledge. It is something that the reader already knows or can develop an understanding for from prior knowledge. Schema is also the development of concepts or organized knowledge and structure. Often times we as readers can decipher text based on our prior experiences and readings. Our schema is constantly working when we are reading. Two types of schema exist. The first is accommodation. Accommodation is when the reader changes their world view, so their schema also changes. When a reader stumbles, misunderstands, or needs more knowledge, they are accommodating for what they are reading and their schema adjusts. The second type of schema is assimilation. Assimilation is when the reader adds to their existing framework, in other words, additional knowledge is given to the reader. Schema affects the reader's comprehension, so the more developed our schema is, the more we will understand while reading. As a teacher I need to evaluate my student's schema and help them either develop or grow in their schema.