Originally developed in 1986 by Donna Ogle, a KWL chart is a valuable learning tool that guides individuals through educational sessions or readings. Its purpose is to enhance the learning experience by providing a structured framework for organizing and recording information.
The chart consists of three columns: What I Know, What I Wonder, and What I Learned. To use the KWL chart effectively, you begin by assessing your current knowledge on the topic at hand. Next, you record any questions or areas of interest that you hope to address during your session. Finally, after completing your session, you document what has been learned and any new insights gained as a result.
When do you need a KWL chart?
A KWL chart can be a useful tool in various scenarios, but two common use cases are as follows:
1. For students: KWL charts can aid students in learning new concepts and taking responsibility for their education. They provide clarity about what is already understood and allow for reflection on specific topics of study.
2. For employees: Business leaders can utilize the KWL chart to support staff in retaining new information, with the added benefit of being able to revisit it later as a refresher.
Despite these being the most frequent applications, a KWL chart is beneficial whenever there is a need to learn something new and retain knowledge effectively. It allows you to monitor the learning process by outlining what is known, what needs to be learned, and what has been learned.
Ultimately, a KWL chart is not limited to these uses; it's a versatile template that can serve many purposes beyond these examples.
How do you fill in a KWL chart template?
Filling out a KWL chart template is a simple and straightforward process. Follow these steps to complete your chart:
Step 1: Record what you already know in the first column. Start by listing all of the knowledge you have about the topic at hand in the What I Know column. This step will establish your starting point and reveal any gaps in your understanding.
Step 2: Identify what you want to learn in the second column. Generate a list of questions or statements about what you hope to gain from your learning experience, and record them in the What I Wonder column. These statements will serve as a guide for your learning, providing direction throughout the process.
Step 3: Document what you learned in the final column. Once you have completed your training, lessons, or research, summarize what you have learned in the What I Learned column. Use these statements to review what was learned against what was desired from Step 2.
Some KWL charts may include a fourth column titled "How will I learn?" which would be placed between the second and third columns. In this section, you can outline the specific steps you intend to take to enhance your learning experience. This could entail conducting online research, speaking with a manager or subject matter expert, or having a discussion with a faculty member. Essentially, this column allows for an actionable plan to be developed based on the information gathered in previous sections of the chart.
Benefits of using an online KWL Chart template
If you are looking to save time, utilizing an online KWL chart template is a convenient option. Rather than creating the chart from scratch, you can simply select a pre-made template and input your information into the designated columns.
There are several additional benefits to using an online KWL chart template:
- Collaborate and share with others. When using an online template such as FigJam, you can easily collaborate with colleagues by sharing the template. This allows for real-time feedback and visual notes to be added, enhancing collaboration on the same chart.
- Update information in real-time. Making changes to a physical KWL chart involves erasing or scribbling out previous information. However, updating an online KWL chart is as easy as making a few clicks on your keyboard, instantly reflecting any changes made.
- Personalize your template. FigJam and similar platforms offer a plethora of features that enable you to personalize pre-existing templates. From modifying fonts and adding new text, to uploading files, inserting shapes, and even creating extra columns - the possibilities are endless. By doing so, you can craft a tailored template that caters perfectly to your requirements.
Overall, utilizing an online KWL chart template offers convenience and increased functionality that paper-based charts cannot provide.
