Which approach does FIRC suggest for utilizing students' prior knowledge?

The suggestion to build on students' prior knowledge to facilitate learning aligns with established educational theories that highlight the importance of connecting new information to what learners already know. This approach recognizes that students come into a learning environment with experiences, skills, and knowledge that can significantly enhance their learning process. When instructors harness this prior knowledge, they can create more meaningful and effective learning experiences.

For instance, in a flight training context, if a student already has some knowledge of aerodynamics or navigation principles, an instructor can connect new concepts to this existing framework, making it easier for the student to assimilate new information and skills. By scaffolding new learning on existing knowledge, students are likely to understand and retain information better, ultimately leading to a more enriching educational experience.