Structure of Knowledge

 

Think of knowledge like a building 🧠🏛️: it has raw material, arrangement, and levels.

1) Building Blocks (What knowledge is made of)

• Facts (data points): “Water freezes at 0°C (at sea level).”

• Concepts (categories/ideas): “Freezing” as a phase change.

• Principles (if–then relationships): “If temperature decreases below freezing point, water solidifies.”

• Procedures (how-to steps): “How to conduct a freezing-point experiment.”

• Values/Norms (what should be): “Record observations honestly.”

2) Levels (How knowledge becomes deeper)

A very useful ladder:

1. Data – raw observations
   Example: thermometer reading: 8°C, 5°C, 1°C…

2. Information – data organised
   Example: a table of temperature vs time.

3. Knowledge – meaning + verified pattern
   Example: “Temperature fell steadily; freezing begins near 0°C.”

4. Understanding – explains why/how
   Example: “Molecules lose kinetic energy; solid lattice forms.”

5. Wisdom – applies understanding ethically and appropriately
   Example: “Use this knowledge to store vaccines safely; avoid harm.”

3) Organisation (How knowledge is stored in mind)

• Schema (mental frameworks): “What a ‘good lesson’ looks like.”

• Networks (connected ideas): concept maps, associations.

• Hierarchies: broad → specific
  Example: Communication → Nonverbal → Eye contact → Cultural rules

• Scripts (expected sequences): “How a classroom discussion normally unfolds.”

Forms of Knowledge

“Forms” means types of knowledge based on what it is and how we get it.

A) By what it is (content form)

1) Propositional / Declarative (Know-that)

Facts, statements, definitions.

• Example: “Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts.”

• Example: “Credibility has competence + character.”

2) Procedural (Know-how)

Skills and methods.

• Example: How to design MCQs.

• Example: How to give feedback using “specific + future-focused” language.

3) Conceptual (Know-why / relationships)

Explains connections and causes.

• Example: “Why spaced practice improves memory.”

• Example: “Why warm tone increases student participation.”

4) Metacognitive (Know-about-knowing)

Awareness of your learning and thinking.

• Example: “I learn faster by teaching someone else.”

• Example: “I confuse correlation with causation—so I check evidence.”

5) Tacit (Unspoken know-how)

Hard to explain, easy to perform.

• Example: A trainer sensing when the audience is drifting and changing pace.

B) By where it comes from (source form)

1) Empirical knowledge (from experience/observation)

• Example: “When I use examples, learners respond better.”

2) Rational knowledge (from reasoning)

• Example: “If clarity reduces confusion, then clear instructions reduce errors.”

3) Authoritative knowledge (from credible sources)

• Example: Textbook, peer-reviewed paper, official guideline.

4) Revealed/Traditional knowledge (from faith/culture)

• Example: Values and beliefs learned through tradition (varies by context).

C) By purpose (use form)

1) Theoretical knowledge

Explains and predicts.

• Example: Learning theories, communication models.

2) Practical/Applied knowledge

Used for doing.

• Example: Classroom management phrases, questioning techniques.

3) Normative knowledge

What should be done (ethics/values).

• Example: “Assessment should be fair and bias-free.”

A tiny model you can teach in 30 seconds

Knowledge has a structure:
Fact → Concept → Principle → Procedure → Value

Knowledge has forms:
Know-that + Know-how + Know-why + Know-about-knowing + Tacit

Example (one topic: “Questioning in class”)

• Fact: Open questions get longer answers.

• Concept: Open vs closed questions.

• Principle: More openness → more thinking time → deeper responses.

• Procedure: Use “Why/How/What if…?” + wait 3 seconds.

• Value: Respect all answers; don’t shame mistakes.