Don Clark, who is a prolific internet poster and website owner and I had a conversation about understanding the differences between concept and skill. Although we didn’t solve the issue, it’s interesting for trainers, since what we teach affects (or should) how we teach.

Don starts off (the parts with the >)

> If I learn to “know about” the mathematical functions of “mean,
> medium, and mode” then I have learned a concept. However, if I learn
> to solve a problem by finding the “mean, medium, and mode,” then I
> have learned a skill (know how). So far, it sound like skills are
> better than concepts as they enable me to do something, while
> concepts simply enable me to know about something or enable me to
> stay out of trouble.

Great example because it’s easy to work with. One can compute the mean, median, etc, and have NO idea whatsover what they represent or their meaning. The calculation skill allows one to create the
numbers. The concept allows one to USE those numbers intelligently and without error.

Or, for example, (a real one), I no longer recall how to compute (skill) a standard deviation off the top of my head, but if I read research that includes that information, I know exactly what it means.

On the flip side, I used to know how to do multivariate analysis and factor analysis on computers, and did a number of them. I knew just enough of the concept to be dangerous, so while I could compute the
numbers, I could also misinterpret them.

> If we use this list as an example, I have gained knowledge about
> concepts, e-learning, skills, etc. in the posts about the “e-learning
> revolution.” Although I have learned concepts, it is simply a
> developmental issue at this point in time as I have not put it to use.
>
> I can picture concepts as keeping me out of trouble, or being
> developmental in nature, but not as being an immediate problem solver in
> the work environment, unless we count something like “reading a new
> flowchart” as being a concept.

see example above. You have the ability to calculate means and medians. Your boss comes to you and says: Which is most appropriate for our situation? Without the concept, you don’t know. That’s VERY practical. You can’ t solve the problem without the concept.

I’m sure I’m missing something, but I
> having trouble with workers simply drawing on knowledge or concepts
> without any new skills to go along with it.

I don’t know about you, but I draw upon concepts (or stumble when I lack them) everyday in applied settings. I understand my computer and can diagnose problems ok because I have the basic concepts.
However, the concepts and principles associated with my car heating system are beyond me, and I have NO idea what could be causing having no heat in the dead of winter.

If I could diagnose the heat problem because I have the concepts, I would still have to have the skill to fix the problem, though.

Or, everytime you travel and think North, South, E, W, and turn, you are applying directional concepts and relationships (but you still have to have the skill to turn the wheel).