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The Structure of Knowledge

Published on Nov 26, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

The Structure of Knowledge

Fostering growth of conceptual thinking
Photo by Noah Sussman

Know the structure!

  • Facilitate deep understandings rather than only factual knowledge
  • Teachers are rarely introduce to knowledge structures
  • Help students to develop transferrable concepts and ideas

The structure of knowledge

  • Facts
  • topics
  • concepts
  • generalization
  • theory

Facts

  • Specific examples of people/places/things
  • Facts do not transfer
  • Tropical nature of Amazon Rainforest creates dense Ecosystem
Photo by momo_mika

Topics

  • Set of facts related to specific people/places/things
  • Topics do not transfer
  • Ex. Ecosystems in the Amazon Rainforest
Photo by VinothChandar

Concepts

  • Mental constructs that bring together different topics
  • Timeless/universal/abstract
  • Ex. System
Photo by melstampz

Generalizations

  • Two or more concepts stated in relationship
  • generally timeless/universal/abstract
  • Enduring, essential understandings for discipline
  • Ex. Organisms adapt to chande environments in order to survive
Photo by @Doug88888

Macro-concept vs. Micro-concept

  • Macro-concept breadth (more transferrable)
  • Micro-concept depth (more transferrable)

When kids have strong conceptual knowledge

they learn to make use of knowledge efficiently because schemas are strong.

This can be a paradigm shift for teachers

Topics and facts are tools, not learning destinations!
Photo by melstampz

Texas Depth and Complexity model

  • Helps teachers/administrators recognize value of conceptual thinking
  • Builds on Blooms taxonomy
  • Target: Deep factual knowledge intersects w/ conceptual understanding
Photo by RiAus

We need to shape the conceptual mind

It is necessary for forming deep understandings

2D vs 3D model

Move beyond 2d info-coverage model to engage factual and conceptual realms
Photo by IvanClow

Building Concepts

Concepts build on each other throughout grade levels
Photo by rahego

We must improve intellectual development!

Stucture of knowledge should be placed in account when writing standards
Photo by wrightbrosfan