Oklahoma State Assessment Test (OSAT) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

In the context of learning, what does accommodation involve?

1. Adapting new information without changing existing knowledge

2. Integrating new information while discarding past knowledge

3. Changing prior knowledge to better fit new information

4. Revising new information based on previous experiences

The correct answer is: Changing prior knowledge to better fit new information

Accommodation involves changing prior knowledge to better fit new information. This process is essential in learning, particularly in the framework proposed by cognitive theorist Jean Piaget. When a learner encounters new experiences or information that does not fit their existing knowledge structures, they must alter these structures to incorporate the new data. This change allows them to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the world around them. For example, if a child who believes that all four-legged animals are dogs meets a cat, their understanding must adjust to accommodate the fact that not all four-legged creatures are the same. This process highlights the dynamic nature of learning, where existing cognitive frameworks adapt and grow rather than simply adding new information to what is already known. The other options describe different processes that are not aligned with accommodation. Adapting new information without changing prior knowledge refers to assimilation, which is a different cognitive function. Integrating new information while discarding past knowledge implies a more drastic change than accommodation allows, as it suggests entirely replacing previous understanding. Revising new information based on previous experiences relates more closely to a reflective process rather than the fundamental adaptation of existing knowledge that accommodation entails.