Conceptual+Ecology

Posner describes conceptual ecology as being the background of the learners current concepts or conceptual understanding upon which learning and inquiry occur. (Posner 1982) In other words, it is the accumulation of knowledge, perceptions, ideas, and so forth that a person possesses. The contents of an individuals conceptual ecology could have been accumulated through everyday experiences, formal and informal learning environments, television, the internet, books, magazines, and so forth. Further, with regards to a particular piece of information, an individuals conceptual ecology could be well developed or severely restricted. A person who reads science fiction, for example, may have a wide range of ideas with regards to scientific concepts, but may have no prior understandings related to some unfamiliar topic like, say, Chinese culture.

Conceptual ecology is important because this background knowledge affects the way the learner will approach new information, what questions to ask, how to interpret pheonomena. Great quote: "Without concepts the world is and remains William James' 'blooming buzzing confusion.' (Posner, et.al. 1982, p213)"