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Types of Knowledge in the Arts

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About This MicroSim

A three-column comparative model mapping out propositional knowledge (knowing-that), performative knowledge (knowing-how), and aesthetic knowledge (knowing-through-experience). It details how transferrable and testable each kind of knowledge is, and allows direct contrast with scientific methods if desired.

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

11-12 (IB TOK)

Duration

20 minutes

Prerequisites

  • Core TOK framework knowledge of "knowing-that" vs "knowing-how".
  • Experiences studying any art form practically or theoretically.

Learning Objectives

  • Compare propositional, performative, and aesthetic knowledge in terms of their epistemic characteristics and evaluate the relative strengths of each.

Activities

  1. Exploration (5 min): Instruct students to examine the base matrix. Ask them to locate the "Can be written down?" row and find out how Performative and Aesthetic knowledge answer that question.
  2. Guided Practice (10 min): Toggle the fourth column, "Scientific Knowledge," on to the screen. Discuss as a class how "Scientific Knowledge" aligns heavily with "Propositional Knowledge" but diverges sharply from "Aesthetic Knowledge" regarding the "Testable?" parameter.
  3. Assessment (5 min): Open the "Which type?" quiz mode built into the interactive simulation. Have students classify a presented real-world example (e.g., "knowing how to throw a clay pot on a wheel") and explain their choice.

Assessment

  • Performance in the "Which type?" classification minigame.
  • Ability to explain why Aesthetic Knowledge (knowing-through-experience) escapes easy testing boundaries compared to Scientific Knowledge.

Quiz

Test your understanding of knowledge types in the Arts.

1. A dancer practicing a pirouette perfectly after months of muscle memory repetition relies primarily on which form of knowledge?

  1. Propositional Knowledge (Knowing-That)
  2. Performative Knowledge (Knowing-How)
  3. Quantitative Scientific Knowledge
  4. Historical Aesthetic Knowledge
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Performative knowledge, also referred to as "knowing-how," is knowledge contained in an action, skill, or body-memory. It often cannot be adequately communicated solely through writing (propositional knowledge) and instead must be physically learned and practiced.

Concept Tested: Knowing-How vs Knowing-That