Learning and understanding happens in many ways but the power of connecting to prior knowledge is powerful. Building on a previous foundation of background knowledge allows for extending it with smaller blocks of new knowledge made more relevant and understandable. When I teach I am always trying activate prior knowledge and making connections to background knowledge in the hope that this facilities learning.
How different can students be?
Reflection is important to learning though understanding may take a while.
Learning is like a beautiful ocean view. Now go make meaning!
If cats can engage in active learning so can you!