What is Official Knowledge?

Official knowledge refers to information verified and approved by an authoritative source or organisation that is part of the dominant cultural, social or political class, as proposed by Micheal Apple. This type of knowledge is considered reliable, trustworthy and truthful and is often used as a basis for decision-making.

There are several sources of official knowledge, such as government agencies, medical institutions, and educational institutions. Official knowledge is often firstly communicated through official channels such as national curium documents, standards of practice and published research.

One feature of official knowledge is that it provides a shared understanding of the facts and issues at hand but from the perspective of the domino cultural, social or political class. This shared understanding can serve as a basis for collaboration and cooperation among individuals and organisations working towards a common goal however, as stated by Apple, the underlying aim of official knowledge is to ensure the continuation of the status quo. As such, it is essential to note that official knowledge is not infallible. It is subject to the biases and limitations of the dominant cultural, social and political class.

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What is Unofficial Knowledge?

Unofficial knowledge linked to the theory of Michael Apple refers to the information and insights that are not recognised or sanctioned by educational institutions, but are nevertheless a potentially influential factor in the shaping of an individual’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. Unofficial knowledge views power, inequality, and social justice through the perspective of those outside the dominant cultural, social and political class and thus promotes ideas and thinking that are often critical of the status quo. 

Whereas official knowledge is represented by governmental and organisational documents, standards of practice, curriculum and research. Unofficial knowledge encompasses a range of materials, including blog posts, podcasts, videos, and social media discussions. These resources are often created and circulated by educators, activists, and scholars who are from outside of the dominant cultural, social and political class. 

As mentioned earlier, a main feature of unofficial knowledge is that it can foster critical thinking, discussion and debate around ideas, actions and thinking. It achieves this through the encouragement of the sharing of alternative perspectives, challenging assumptions, and pushing the boundaries of what is commonly accepted by the dominant cultural, social and political class.