Declarative & Procedural Knowledge

It is worth making distinctions between different types of knowledge. This will help to inform not only what we include in the curriculum but also the way it is sequenced

Declarative knowledge

Declarative knowledge is sometimes referred to as propositional knowledge or the ‘know-that’ of a subject.
For example, we know that the angles in a triangle add up to 180°.
Declarative knowledge is a type of substantive knowledge.

Questions to ask yourself

What declarative knowledge will you include in your curriculum?
How will you ensure your curriculum does not ask students to apply, create, synthesise or evaluate in a vacuum?

Procedural knowledge

Sometimes referred to as skill or technique, procedural knowledge refers to the ‘know-how’ of the processes required in a subject.

Examples

Procedural knowledge might include:
- Solving simultaneous equations.
- Constructing a thesis statement.
- Drawing a graph.
- The actions required to perform a somersault.

More questions to ask yourself

What is the procedural knowledge of your subject?
How will the steps of these procedures be broken down and modelled?
Where is common language and methodology required to reinforce students’ competence and understanding?
How often will students practise these procedures?

1Introduction

1.1Introduction

1.1.1Shaping the Curriculum

2Curriculum Rationale

2.1Curriculum Rationale

2.1.1The Role of Subject Leaders

2.1.2Curriculum Rationale

3Curriculum Knowledge

3.1Curriculum Knowledge

3.1.1Core Knowledge

3.1.2Hinterland Knowledge

3.1.3Substantive Knowledge

3.1.4Disciplinary Knowledge

3.1.5Declarative & Procedural Knowledge

4Curriculum Sequencing

4.1Curriculum Sequencing

4.1.1Cognitive Load Theory

4.1.2Threshold Concepts

5Assessment

5.1Assessment

5.1.1Meaningful Assessment

6Instruments of the Curriculum

6.1Instruments of the Curriculum

6.1.1Instruments of the Curriculum

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