Advanced Educational Technology

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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.

 

Significance of Information

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.

Importance of Information

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.

Relationship among Data

            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

The Key Differences Between Data vs Information

• 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 and knowledge are closely related concepts, but they have distinct characteristics and play different roles in how humans understand and interact with the world. Here's a breakdown of each:

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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