Using the knowledge organisation hierarchy model
Understanding the hierarchical structure of knowledge
I’ve just finished an article explaining my knowledge organisation hierarchy model. The model can be used to understand how knowledge is structured hierarchically and how to approach the structuring of content.
You can find a summary of the article below. Alternatively you can read the whole article here.
As ever, please get in touch by replying to this email if you have any comments.
Francis
Summary
Scope of the article: The article explains the knowledge organisation hierarchy model in relation to non-fiction books.
Why the model is useful: I find the model useful because it helps me to understand and develop the overall structure of the content I’m working on. This in turn makes it easier to organise the detail.
Context: The knowledge organisation hierarchy doesn’t exist on its own. Decisions on the organisation of content are meaningless without understanding the broader context within which they are being made. This context includes the goals of the author and the target audience, and the learning model being used.
Knowledge organisation hierarchy model: The model is made up of organising and supporting knowledge structures.
1. Organising knowledge structures: These define the main aspects of the content and organise all the detail that is to be included.
There are four categories of organising knowledge structure:
core knowledge structures
theme/framework
content structure
content sequences.
2. Supporting knowledge structures: These make up the detailed content of a book and are organised around its planned structure.
As the name suggests, they provide support for the core knowledge structure(s) by, for example:
giving additional detail
defining and explaining concepts
explaining changes through timelines
bringing life to ideas by telling stories
making the implementation of processes more concrete by providing concrete examples
classifying concepts into different categories to simplify and order the content
using metaphors and analogies to show the similarities between new knowledge and what the reader already knows.
Francis Miller