Knowledge and Information 30564, 30570 LO30616

From: GDBurch@aol.com
Date: 09/20/03


Replying to LO30594 --

What an intriguing Thread. I found my voice in the relationship between
knowledge and action, and I would appreciate a continuation of the
discourse on their relationship.

Ziva wrote:

"I often tell this example to tell the distinction between the data and
information:
The weather report is: It will be sunny. OK - it is the data.
Because the weather report is: It will be sunny, I will go hiking.
This is information. I've got the data about the sunny weather and I decide
to go hiking. Where is there knowledge? I haven't seen it."

Ziva, I might suggest:

Because it will be sunny, I should take a hat (to prevent sunburn) and plenty
of water (to prevent dehydration). This is knowledge.
While I am hiking, I wear my hat, take frequent rest breaks, and drink plenty
of water. This is knowledge in action.

Because of my long time interest and experience in Learning in a
manufacturing context, I must distinguish between Knowledge and Action.
Much has been written on this subject, particularly around the enhancement
of learning when connected to action. My curiosity now is the frequently
"missing link" between action and knowledge. There are so many examples
where we have the requisite information (it is sunny) and knowledge (I
should drink plenty of water), but we fail to take the appropriate action
(I can keep up with those younger people on the trail by pressing ahead
with no breaks). What is the trigger that spurns knowledge into action? I
would love to hear your thoughts.

Gerald Burch

-- 

GDBurch@aol.com

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