Which instructional strategy did Ausubel propose to help learners connect new material to existing knowledge?

• A. Discovery learning
• B. Advanced organizer
• C. Scaffolding
• D. Cooperative learning

Answer: (B)

Ausubel’s approach centers on meaningful learning, where new material is integrated with what learners already know. An advance organizer is a tool presented before instruction that activates relevant prior knowledge and provides a framework for the new content. By offering a general overview or organizing structure first, students can see how new ideas fit into their existing cognitive schemas, making it easier to subsume specific facts under broader concepts. This pre-organization reduces cognitive load during learning and supports deeper understanding rather than mere memorization.

Discovery learning, while valuable in encouraging exploration, emphasizes self-directed discovery rather than linking new material to prior knowledge in a direct pre-instructional way. Scaffolding involves guided support to help learners reach higher tasks, but it’s about temporary assistance during learning rather than the initial connection to existing knowledge structure. Cooperative learning focuses on social interaction and collaboration, not specifically on activating prior knowledge before introducing new content.