what is the difference between relational understanding and instrumental understanding?
What is the difference between relational understanding and instrumental understanding?
Answer:
The concepts of relational understanding and instrumental understanding were introduced by Richard Skemp in the context of mathematical education, but they can be applied to other fields as well. These terms describe different approaches to learning and understanding concepts.
1. Relational Understanding:
Relational understanding refers to knowing both the “what” and the “why” of a concept. It means having a deep comprehension of the subject matter, including how different ideas are interconnected and the reasons behind various procedures. This type of understanding allows students to apply their knowledge flexibly and adaptively in different contexts.
Key Characteristics:
- Comprehensive Knowledge: Students understand the underlying principles and can make connections between different concepts.
- Flexibility: Allows for the application of knowledge in new and varied situations.
- Problem-Solving: Facilitates better problem-solving skills because students can reason through new problems using their understanding of the relationships between concepts.
- Long-Term Retention: Knowledge is more likely to be retained over the long term because it is understood deeply.
Example: In mathematics, a student with relational understanding of algebraic equations knows not only how to solve the equations but also why the methods work. They understand the principles of balancing equations and can apply these principles to solve different types of problems.
2. Instrumental Understanding:
Instrumental understanding, on the other hand, refers to knowing how to perform tasks or procedures without necessarily understanding the underlying principles. It is more about memorization and the ability to apply rules or formulas to get the correct answer, often without understanding why those rules or formulas work.
Key Characteristics:
- Procedural Knowledge: Focuses on the steps or rules needed to complete tasks.
- Limited Flexibility: Knowledge is often confined to specific contexts and may not transfer well to new situations.
- Short-Term Retention: Information is often memorized and may be easily forgotten if not regularly practiced.
- Efficiency: Can be efficient for solving routine problems quickly, but lacks depth.
Example: In mathematics, a student with instrumental understanding of algebraic equations knows the steps to solve the equations (e.g., “move the variable to one side and the constant to the other”) but may not understand why these steps are taken. They can solve the equations correctly but may struggle with non-routine problems or explaining the reasoning behind their methods.
Summary of Differences:
- Depth of Knowledge: Relational understanding involves deep comprehension, while instrumental understanding focuses on procedural knowledge.
- Flexibility: Relational understanding allows for adaptable application of knowledge, whereas instrumental understanding is often rigid and context-specific.
- Retention: Relational understanding promotes long-term retention, while instrumental understanding may lead to short-term memorization.
- Problem-Solving: Relational understanding enhances problem-solving abilities through reasoning, while instrumental understanding relies on applying known procedures.
In educational settings, fostering relational understanding is generally preferred because it leads to a more profound and lasting mastery of the subject matter. However, instrumental understanding can still be valuable for performing specific tasks efficiently. Ideally, a balanced approach that incorporates both types of understanding can provide students with a robust and versatile skill set.