1. Facilitating the learning of Concepts & Principles1

2. Characteristics of concepts
A concept is a set of specific objects, symbols, or events which share common characteristics (critical attributes), and can be referenced by a particular name or symbol 2

3. Characteristics of concepts
Concepts can be thought of as information about objects, events, and processes that allows us to
differentiate various things or classes
know relationships between objects
generalise about events, things, and processes 3

4. Characteristics of concepts
All concepts possess four components
attributes
examples
definition
hierarchical relations
Teachers facilitate concept acquisition by analysing these components 4

5. Concept “attributes”
characteristics of a particular concept that help distinguish instances of the concept from non-instances
attributes may be relevant (i.e. common to all examples of a concept) or irrelevant (i.e. associated with certain examples but not with all examples)
Attributes may be criterion-related (i.e. they distinguish between related concepts) 5

6. Concept “examples”
Examples of a concept possess all relevant attributes of the concept
Non-examples of a concept lack at least one relevant attribute 6

7. Concept “definition”
Concept definitions should contain references to both the relevant and criterion-related attributes of the concept 7

8. Concept “hierarchical relations”
Deals with relations between concepts
Can be of three types - superordinate, subordinate, coordinate - and based on relevant attributes 8

9. Implications for teaching
A considerable amount of learning is concerned with learning concepts
Teachers who understand the nature of concepts can adopt appropriate instructional design approach for teaching the concept and can check acquisition of the concept 9

10. Teaching a Concept 10

11. Teaching a Concept give definition, followed by examples
give examples, followed by definition 12

12. Teaching a Principle
A principle states a relationship between classes of events which enable us to
predict consequences
explain events
infer causes
control situations
solve problems 18

13. Teaching a Principle
Motivate through curiosity - create an enquiring environment
Develop the principle find relationship between concepts
Practice application of the principle - using the principle gives relevance 21

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