Concepthow

Concepthow is a term used in education and cognitive science to denote an approach and framework for examining concepts by focusing on the mechanisms, methods, and processes that underlie how a concept functions, rather than on a mere definition. The term is a portmanteau of concept and how, and is used to describe both a pedagogical stance and a set of instructional prompts that encourage learners to articulate the steps, conditions, and rationale by which a concept operates.

In practice, concepthow encourages questions such as: How does this concept apply in different contexts? What conditions change its behavior? What are the underlying mechanisms? It is often paired with tasks that require explaining, predicting, and justifying, rather than recalling.

Origins: The term appeared in online educational discourse in the 2010s and does not denote a formal theory but rather a family of practices; definitions vary by community. It functions more as a lens or method in contemporary pedagogy than as a single unified theory.

Applications: Concepthow is used in curriculum design, assessment design, and teacher prompts across disciplines such as science, mathematics, and humanities. It supports activities that require students to describe procedures, justify conclusions, and adapt concepts to new situations.

Criticism: Some scholars note a lack of precise, universally accepted definition and warn that the approach can become vague without clear criteria; successful implementation often depends on substantial teacher expertise and careful alignment with learning objectives.

See also: conceptual understanding, metacognition, problem-solving, cognitive apprenticeship.