What can "prior knowledge" help students achieve when reading new material?

Prior knowledge plays a crucial role in helping students engage with and comprehend new material. When students are able to connect what they are already familiar with to new concepts, they can build a mental framework that facilitates understanding. This connection enhances their ability to relate to the text, making it easier to predict, infer, and integrate new information with their existing knowledge. As a result, they become more engaged with the content because it feels relevant and meaningful to them.

Utilizing prior knowledge allows students to draw on their experiences, background information, and previously learned skills, which supports their cognitive processes and leads to deeper comprehension. When they can see the connections between old and new information, it often results in a richer understanding of the material, promoting critical thinking and retention.

Other options, while potentially beneficial in different contexts, do not address the foundational aspect of reading comprehension in the same way. Improved handwriting skills and faster reading speeds, for instance, are more related to technical skills rather than comprehension. Lowering anxiety during exams is linked to test-taking strategies and emotional preparedness, which doesn't directly impact the reading process itself. Therefore, the ability to better engage with and comprehend new content through prior knowledge is the most relevant outcome in this scenario.