In the module on conceptual understandings, we discuss how conceptual understandings, or generalizations, are statements that show relationships between concepts. They help us design engaging, relevant units for our students by providing a bigger picture of the content, helping students gain a deeper understanding and transfer their learning to new situations.
In this module, we will learn about how conceptual questioning can support an inquiry approach to using conceptual understandings with your students. While a deductive approach — in which a teacher provides a conceptual understanding — is probably more familiar to educators, an inductive, or inquiry-based, approach can provide opportunities for students to delve more deeply into the content. In this approach, teachers pose questions that guide students toward developing their own conceptual understanding.
Module Videos
In this video we go over what conceptual understandings are, how to write them, and when to use them. At the end, there are reflection questions to help you begin writing your own conceptual understandings.
Resources mentioned in this video: