Skemp Article

Relational Understanding and Instrumental Understanding - Richard R. Skemp

 Relational versus instrumental understanding is a debate that will continue for a long time.  It is an issue to which there is no easy answer.  Each approach has value in and of itself, but the reality of the situation is not black and white.  The need for relational understanding is apparent and necessary for a true understanding of mathematics, a true love and appreciation for it as a subject matter.  However, the reality is that the curricular expectations, student expectations, parental expectations, provincial expectations, etc...don't necessarily allow for the application of a relational approach.  There is too much in the curriculum to spend large amounts of time focusing on the connections behind the concepts.  Often the students do not want to know the "why"; they are content with the formula and that's it.  The best a teacher can do is strive to draw out those connections, whenever and wherever possible, that make math really meaningful without losing sight of the importance of instrumental understanding as well.  It is an ongoing challenge in my own career to try and mesh the two as much as is possible given the current environmental restrictions.