About ten years ago I took a gander at the data, information, knowledge, wisdom hierarchy and likened it to something I called "The Ladder of Understanding" complete with simple illustration:
In conclusion, as more and more people gain access to more and
more information, these same people will have to come to terms
with methods for evaluating and using this information. This
process, the process of evaluating and using information is, in
my opinion, the future of librarianship. This process moves the
library from one of dispensing information to fostering knowledge
and understanding. It has been said that understanding is like a
four-rung ladder. The first rung on the ladder represents data
and facts. As the data and facts are collected and organized they
become information, the second rung on the ladder. The third rung
is knowledge where knowledge is information internalized and put
to use. The last rung is wisdom, knowledge of a timeless nature.
Technology has enabled more people to climb between the first and
second rungs of the ladder with greater ease. Similarly,
technology may enable libraries and librarians to climb higher on
the ladder as well and provide knowledge services instead of
simply information services.
http://infomotions.com/musings/pointers/ladderofunderstanding.html
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Eric Lease Morgan
University of Notre Dame
Received on Fri Jul 02 2010 - 10:16:12 EDT