Advanced Educational Technology Notes --
Module 2
Introduction to Information and Communication
Technology in Education
Information: Meaning and significance, Relationship
among Data, Information and Knowledge.
Meaning of Information
The meaning of information can vary depending
on the context in which it is used. Generally, information refers to knowledge
or data that has been processed, organized, or structured in a way that adds
value and is meaningful to someone.
It
is important that students learn the concept of what ‘information’ is as used
in information technology. Information is stimuli that has meaning in some context for
its receiver. When information is entered into and stored in a computer, it is
generally referred to as data. After processing -- such as formatting and
printing -- output data can again be perceived as information. When information
is compiled or used to better understand something or to do something, it
becomes knowledge. Information
is the result of processing data, usually by computer. This results in facts,
which enables the processed data to be used in context and have meaning.
Information is data that has meaning. Data with Context, Information
arises when raw data is processed, organized, or structured in a meaningful way
that adds context and makes it useful. Knowledge or Awareness,
Information is often seen as knowledge or awareness about something, whether
it's facts, events, concepts, or principles. Communication, in
communication theory, information refers to the content or message conveyed
through a communication channel. Entropy, in information theory, information is
quantified as a reduction in uncertainty or entropy. The more surprising or
unexpected a message is, the more information it contains.
Functions
and uses of Information
Information is a key resource and an important factor in national progress and development. It used to be regarded as playing
only a supportive role in the various national development programs like education, economic planning, agriculture,
medicine and the transfer of science
and technology. Now, however its importance is being increasingly recognized and its acquisition has emerged
as a matter of national policy.
Characteristics of Information
Expandable
: Facts are never all in; we are constantly aware
of information overload.
Compressible:
While the amount is expanding exponentially, it can be concentrated,
integrated, summarized, miniaturized for easier handling.
Substitutable:
It can replace capital or physical materials, information isa
commodity and on the current scene that means power.
Transportable:
At the speed of lights, as quick as pushing a button.
Diffusive:
It tends to leak and in that regard cannot be possessed.
Shareable
: Sharing transactions.
- Decision-making: One of the most significant needs of information is
for decision-making. In today’s fast-paced world, decisions must be
made quickly and efficiently. Access to accurate and timely information
can help individuals and organizations make informed decisions that can
positively impact their lives and businesses.
- Learning
and Education: Information is needed for learning
and education. Students and professionals need access to relevant and
accurate information to keep up with the latest trends, ideas, and
theories in their respective fields.
- Innovation
and Creativity: Information is a vital component
of innovation and creativity. By staying current on the latest
research and trends in a field, individuals and organizations can find new
ways to solve problems and create value for their customers.
- Communication:
Information is needed for effective communication. In today’s globalized
world, individuals and organizations must communicate with people from
different cultures and backgrounds. Access to information can help
individuals understand other perspectives and communicate more
effectively.
- Personal
Growth: Information is also needed for personal
growth. By accessing the information on topics that interest them,
individuals can develop new skills, learn about new cultures, and expand
their horizons.
- Safety
and Security: Information is needed for safety and
security. Law enforcement agencies, government organizations, and
businesses need access to information to identify potential threats and
prevent harm.
- Economic
Development: Information is needed for economic
development. Businesses need access to information on market trends,
consumer behaviour, and the latest technologies to stay competitive and
grow.
- Health
and Wellness: Information is needed for health and
wellness. Individuals need accurate and reliable information to make
informed decisions about their health and well-being.
- Social
and Cultural Development: Information is needed
for social and cultural development. Individuals and organizations
need access to information on different cultures, histories, and
traditions to build understanding and promote social cohesion.
In today’s
knowledge-based economy, information has become one of the most valuable assets
for individuals, organizations, and societies. Access to relevant and accurate
information can provide significant benefits, from making informed decisions to
achieving business objectives. The importance of information cannot be
overstated, and it is essential to understand how access to information can
impact various domains.
- Personal Growth: Access to information can drive personal growth by
expanding our knowledge and horizons. The availability of resources
such as online courses, books, and documentaries can help individuals
learn new skills and explore different perspectives. For example, learning
a new language or reading about other cultures can broaden our
understanding of the world and promote personal growth.
- Innovation and Creativity: Information is critical for driving innovation and
creativity. By staying up-to-date on the latest research and trends in
a field, individuals and organizations can find new ways to solve problems
and create value for their customers. Access to information can help
individuals and organizations identify gaps in the market, explore new
technologies, and develop new products and services.
- Economic Development: Access to information is crucial for driving economic
development. Businesses need access to information on market trends,
consumer behaviour, and the latest technologies to stay competitive and
grow. Governments also need access to information to make informed
decisions on policies and regulations that promote economic growth and
development.
- Societal Progress: Information is essential for driving societal
progress. Access to information on social issues, environmental
challenges, and political developments can help individuals and
organizations become informed citizens and contribute to positive change.
For example, access to information on climate change can help individuals
and organizations make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint
and promote sustainable practices.
- Communication: Information is crucial for
effective communication. In today’s globalized world, individuals and
organizations need access to information to communicate with people from
different cultures and backgrounds. Access to information on other
languages, cultures, and communication styles can promote effective
communication and reduce misunderstandings.
- Education
and Learning: Information is a vital component of teaching and learning.
Students and professionals need access to relevant and accurate
information to keep up with the latest trends, ideas, and theories in
their respective fields. Access to information can help individuals
improve their skills, stay relevant in their careers, and pursue new
opportunities.
- Health
and Wellness: Access to information is essential for promoting health and
wellness. Individuals need accurate and reliable information to make
informed decisions about their health and well-being. Access to
information on nutrition, exercise, and mental health can help individuals
make healthy choices and improve their quality of life.
The terms “data” and
“information” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same.
Data is defined as individual facts, while information is the organization and
interpretation of those facts. If data are the bricks, then information is the
house they form when laid out in an organized manner. Data
on its own has no meaning. It only takes on meaning and becomes information
when it is interpreted. Data consists of raw facts and figures. When that data
is processed into sets according to context, it provides information. Data refers to raw input that when
processed or arranged makes meaningful output. Information is usually the
processed outcome of data. When data is processed into information, it becomes
interpretable and gains significance. In IT, symbols, characters, images, or
numbers are data. These are the inputs an IT system needs to process in order
to produce a meaningful interpretation. In other words, data in a meaningful
form becomes information. Information can be about facts, things, concepts, or
anything relevant to the topic concerned. It may provide answers to questions
like who, which, when, why, what, and how.
If
we put Information into an equation it would look like this:
Data + Meaning = Information
|
Example Looking at the examples given
for data: • 3, 6, 9, 12 • cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, cockatoo • 161.2, 175.3, 166.4, 164.7, 169.3 Only when we assign a context or
meaning does the data become information. It all becomes meaningful
when we are told: • 3, 6, 9 and 12 are the first four
answers in the 3-x table • cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, cockatoo is a
list of household pets • 161.2, 175.3, 166.4, 164.7, 169.3 are
the heights of 15-year-old students |
- Data
is a collection of facts, while information puts those facts into context.
- While
data is raw and unorganized, information is organized.
- Data
points are individual and sometimes unrelated. Information maps out that
data to provide a big-picture view of how it all fits together.
- Data,
on its own, is meaningless. When it’s analysed and interpreted, it becomes
meaningful information.
- Data
does not depend on information; however, information depends on data.
- Data
typically comes in the form of graphs, numbers, figures, or statistics.
Information is typically presented through words, language, thoughts, and
ideas.
- Data
isn’t sufficient for decision-making, but you can make decisions based on
information.
Examples of Data vs Information
To further explore the differences between data and
information, let’s look at a few examples:
Data Examples
- The number of visitors to a website in
one month
- Inventory levels in a warehouse on a
specific date
- Individual satisfaction scores on a customer
service survey
- The price of a competitors’ product
Information Examples
- Understanding that changes to a website
have led to an increase or decrease in monthly site visitors
- Identifying supply chain issues based on
trends in warehouse inventory levels over time
- Finding areas for improvement with
customer service based on a collection of survey responses
- Determining if a competitor is charging
more or less for a similar product
Converting
data to information
Data and information are not the same. Data refers to numerical and
qualitative observations. Information is created when data is presented in a
way that has meaning to the recipient. To turn data into information, it must
be processed and organized. Presenting data in a way that has meaning and value
is called information design, and it is an important field in
both Information architecture and human-computer interaction.
Five characteristics of data quality and high-quality information in a
database include the following:
·
Information
must come from a reliable source of information.
·
Information
cannot be partial or have details missing.
·
Mechanisms
must be in place to ensure that new data doesn't contradict existing data.
·
Information
must be distinctive and add value to a database.
·
Information
in a database must be timely and up to date.
Converting
information to knowledge and wisdom
Knowledge is information that has been processed, analyzed and
interpreted, and can be used to make decisions. The concept of knowledge
involves not just the information, but the ability to access it, as well. For
example, most applications, including models and simulations, include a form of
stored knowledge.
Wisdom is the synthesis of information, knowledge and experience in a
way that applies knowledge to real-life situations. The concept of wisdom
enables the understanding of patterns and their driving factors. It ultimately
enables the prediction of future events.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled computers to learn,
problem-solve and perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. These
technologies enable computers to take actions based on what the data provided
indicates is the best course of action. AI is used in expert systems to diagnose disease, buy and sell stock
and play chess better than a human. However, IT has not yet attained a level of
human wisdom.
Information and Knowledge
When someone
memorises information this is often referred to as ‘rote-learning’ or ‘learning
by heart’. We can then say that they have acquired some knowledge. Another form
of knowledge is produced as a result of understanding
information that has been given to us, and using that information to gain
knowledge of how to solve problems.
Knowledge
can therefore be:
•
acquiring and remembering a set of facts, or
•
the use of information to solve problems.
The
first type is often called explicit knowledge. This is knowledge that can be
easily passed on to others. Most forms of explicit knowledge can be stored in
certain media. The information contained in encyclopaedias and textbooks are
good examples of explicit knowledge. The second type is called tacit knowledge.
It is the kind of knowledge that is difficult to pass on to another person just
by writing it down. For example, saying that Paris is the capital of France is
explicit knowledge that can be written down, passed on, and understood by
someone else. However, the ability to speak a foreign language, bake bread,
program a computer or use complicated machinery requires additional pieces of
knowledge (such as that gained through experience) that are not always known
explicitly and are difficult to pass on to other users.
If we put
Knowledge into an equation it would look like this:
Information + application or use = Knowledge
|
Looking at the examples given for data:
• 3, 6, 9, 12 • cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, cockatoo • 161.2, 175.3, 166.4, 164.7, 169.3 Only when we assign a context or meaning
does the data become information. It all becomes meaningful when we
are told: • 3, 6, 9 and 12 are the first four
answers in the 3-x table • cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, cockatoo is a
list of household pets • 161.2, 175.3, 166.4, 164.7, 169.3 are
the heights of the five tallest 15-year-old students in a class. If
we now apply this information to gain further knowledge we could say
that: • 4, 8, 12 and 16 are the first four
answers in the 4-x table (because the 3-x table starts at three and goes up
in threes the 4-x table must start at four and go up in fours) • The tallest student is 175.3cm. • A lion is not a household pet as it is
not in the list and it lives in the wild |
Information:
Data with Meaning: Information is essentially processed
or organized data that has context, relevance, and meaning. It provides answers
to questions like who, what, where, and when.
Observable and Tangible: Information can often be observed or
measured in some tangible form, such as text, numbers, images, or symbols. It
can be communicated through various channels like speech, writing, or digital
media.
Specific and Factual: Information tends to be specific and
factual, conveying accurate descriptions, instructions, or explanations about a
particular subject or phenomenon.
Raw Material for Knowledge: Information serves as the raw
material for knowledge. It forms the basis upon which knowledge is built and
expanded.
Dynamic and Evolving: Information can change over time as
new data is gathered or interpretations are made. It is dynamic and subject to
updates or revisions.
Knowledge:
Understanding and Insight: Knowledge goes beyond mere
information; it involves understanding, insight, and awareness of the
relationships, patterns, and implications within a body of information. It
addresses the "why" and "how" questions.
Internalized and Personal: Knowledge is often internalized and
personalized, residing in individuals' minds as beliefs, insights, skills, or
expertise. It is shaped by personal experiences, interpretations, and cognitive
processes.
Interconnected and Contextual: Knowledge is interconnected, forming
networks of concepts, principles, and theories within specific domains or
disciplines. It is also contextual, meaning its relevance and applicability may
vary depending on the situation or context.
Applied and Practical: Knowledge can be applied to solve
problems, make decisions, or accomplish tasks effectively. It involves the
integration of information with understanding and experience.
Cumulative and Transferable: Knowledge is cumulative, meaning it
builds upon existing knowledge and can be transferred or shared among
individuals or across generations through education, communication, or
documentation.
In
summary, while information represents processed or organized data with meaning,
knowledge encompasses understanding, insights, and internalized understanding
derived from information. Information serves as the foundation for knowledge,
which in turn enables individuals to make sense of the world, solve problems,
and navigate their environments effectively.
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