Response to Skemp Article

200 words on response to "Relational Understanding and Instrumental Understanding" by Richard R. Skemp

September 13, 2010

This is the first time I have heard the terms relational and instrumental as it applies to understanding and mathematics.  Previously, I would have categorized the views as understanding the big picture as compared to just memorizing/knowing the formulae.  I am certainly of the belief that understanding the theory behind the equations is the best learning experience.

During my education in electrical engineering, there were many equations to learn.  In looking back at that experience, unfortunately, many of the courses did focus on instrumental understanding rather than the deeper concepts.  I do remember once of my best learning experiences was a class of Electronics.  Often in the tests, we needed to state the theory and derive the equation that would then be used to reach the final answer.  In that experience, I felt that I thoroughly understood the topic and found that very rewarding.

In an ideal learning environment, I would expect to teach the theories and foundation such that students really understand the instrumental portion.  I would see the challenges in that being (1) changing the mindset of the student to not just focus on the final answer (2) supporting resources such as textbooks and materials and lastly (3) finding the time and method to be able to assess and evaluation the relational understanding.