When and Where I Found It: I found this term as I read the article "Counterpart Strategies: Fine Tuning Language With Language" by Kucer and Rhodes (1986, p. 187) for my LTED 618 course.
What It Means: Kucer and Rhodes (1986) refer to schemata as "understandings about the world" that people construct as they experience events in their lives (p. 187). According to dictionary.com, schemata (the plural form of "schema") is "an underlying organizational pattern or structure; conceptual framework."
Schemata. (n. pl.) In dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/schemata
Level of Familiarity: Prior to reading this article, I had seen and heard this word before, but usually only in its singular form (schema).
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well as I think it is a valuable word. Since schemata refers to one's understandings or thoughts, this word could be used to describe how students think about our content. For example, someone might say that a student's existing schemata regarding social studies will influence his or her ability to learn about the feudal system. In this circumstance, it would be essential for me to know what "schemata" means.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? I think others should know this word well. Not only is it an interesting word (and a fun word to say out loud), but it is useful when explaining your "conceptual framework" or understandings about a topic. Thus, I think everyone should know this word and its meaning.
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