What is the process of providing students with necessary background information about a topic called?

The process of providing students with necessary background information about a topic is known as priming. Priming involves activating prior knowledge and experiences that students already possess, which helps them make connections to new information. By offering relevant context or preliminary information, educators can enhance comprehension and retention of the new material being introduced. This approach is grounded in cognitive psychology, where activating certain memories or associations can facilitate learning and understanding.

In an educational setting, priming can take the form of discussions, visual aids, or key questions that encourage students to think about what they already know before delving into a new subject. This not only prepares them mentally but also engages them more actively with the learning material, fostering deeper learning experiences.