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Making use of students’ out-of-school knowledge resources

Published Dec 29, 2020

Judith ’t Gilde, a researcher at the Kohnstamm Institute, has published a book together with Prof. Dr. Monique Volman about out-of-school knowledge resources for education professionals. Outside school, students acquire a great deal of useful knowledge and skills that teachers can make use of in the classroom. Out-of-school knowledge resources are people, experiences or stories that are present within their family, community or social network. Out-of-school knowledge and skills can relate to household tasks, technology, cultural practices, art and language, and much more.

Making use of students’ out-of-school knowledge resources

In addition to the family and community, peer groups and popular culture (sports, television, music) also constitute relevant knowledge resources for students. Nowadays, social media and the internet are indispensable as knowledge resources for students (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, games, TikTok, vlogs).

Making use of students’ knowledge and skills in the classroom can contribute to their social and personal development. Students from diverse backgrounds get to know one another better. They develop a broader perspective and a curious attitude. Teachers see that students gain more self-confidence and motivation to learn because they become aware of their knowledge, skills and talents, and receive recognition and affirmation for them.

Practical book for professionals

Using numerous examples, the book describes how to identify students’ out-of-school knowledge resources, how to use them and what their effects may be. It also discusses which teacher competencies are important in this regard and which challenges and pitfalls you may encounter. With this practical book, the authors hope to encourage more teachers to start making use of students’ out-of-school knowledge resources. In this way, both students and teachers can experience the positive effects!

The research

This year, Monique Volman and Judith ’t Gilde completed their research into making use of students’ out-of-school knowledge resources. The research was conducted within the Amsterdam Educational Research Workshop (WOA). It was carried out in collaboration with thirteen teachers from eight primary schools in Amsterdam. One of the final results is the practical book ‘Making use of students’ out-of-school knowledge resources’.

The book can be downloaded (free of charge) via this link.

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