Bloom's stAIrcase

What is Procedural Knowledge?

Procedural knowledge is knowledge of how to do something. It encompasses the methods, techniques, algorithms, and criteria for using skills and procedures within a discipline. This type of knowledge is about action, knowing the steps to follow, the methods to use, and when to use specific approaches to accomplish tasks or solve problems.

Unlike factual knowledge (knowing "what") or conceptual knowledge (knowing "why"), procedural knowledge is about knowing "how." It includes both the step-by-step processes for completing tasks and the judgment needed to determine which procedures to use in different situations. Procedural knowledge is essential for applying learning in practical contexts and for developing expertise in any field.

In the Knowledge Dimension spectrum, procedural knowledge is more abstract than factual or conceptual knowledge. While facts are concrete pieces of information and concepts are organizing frameworks, procedures involve sequences of actions that must be adapted to different contexts. Mastering procedural knowledge requires practice, feedback, and the development of fluency through repeated application.

AI Literacy Connection

AI can automate many procedures, generate step-by-step instructions, and even perform complex procedures that previously required human expertise. This affects the kinds of procedural knowledge students need to develop.

Teaching AI literacy through procedural knowledge might look like, focusing on procedures that require human judgment, creativity, or adaptation rather than rote execution; giving students opportunities to evaluate AI-generated procedures for accuracy and appropriateness in specific contexts; emphasizing understanding of why certain procedures work, not just how to execute them; developing students' ability to select and adapt procedures strategically from AI outputs; using AI to provide additional practice opportunities and immediate feedback around procedural knowledge; discerning contexts in which students can use AI assistance for performing tasks vs. when to perform procedures independently; use interactive AI prompting to develop a procedure for a context; helping students understand that procedural knowledge enables them to verify AI outputs.