Following the readings for Introduction to Teacher Librarianship Module 2.1 (2019) regarding the ‘Information hierarchy’ it occurs to me that the information sequence suggested could be described or represented as a 2D spiral as occurs in mathematics and a 3D helix, as occurs naturally in nature.
[Sidebar: For more information on the Fibonacci Sequence, and how to teach the idea to students here: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html]
When discussing powerful words such as, ‘data, knowledge, wisdom, intelligence, instructions, and messages’, I agree with Module 2.1, that information is a complex idea that is often subjective and correlational.
I think of information in ‘classical’ terms, and related to physical entities such as energy and matter, and agree with the idea that there is a ‘data-information-knowledge-wisdom continuum’ (AEW, 2008). While we live in modern times, there is still value in ‘classical’ information, knowledge and wisdom.
My idea of an information ‘continuum’ is that, instead of a linear model, if you picture the shell image above as a person’s mind, each line represents a continuing time sequence of learning: data (D), information (I), knowledge (K) and wisdom (W) regarding a topic or train of thought. Some lines (building, much like DNA in their repeating DIKW sequence) are weak and so light (‘misinformation’) that they cannot replicate the sequence and fade away. Every shell is unique, although there are commonalities, as is found in humans.
[Sidebar: The four inherent junctions or properties of DNA can be further researched here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537162/]
I like the idea from Module 2.1 that states: “information creates more information” as this supports my helix view of information.
However I believe that the “self-multiplication” of information as mentioned in Module 2.1 generally only causes an overload when one cannot release an old idea or old information in favour of the new or when a person’s capability to research information highways is limited.
Further thoughts about information:
- Can the DIKW sequence be varied in itself, just as DNA is varied, eg, WDKI?
- Is the Information hierarchy or continuum more of a triple helix representing the individual, group and societal knowledge, rather than a helix as represented in the shell image above?
References:
AEW. (2008). Community of practice: Part B. The Information Hierarchy.[slideshare] Retrieved from: Introduction to Teacher Librarianship Module 2.1 (2019) https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_42380_1&content_id=_2633951_1&mode=view
Introduction to Teacher Librarianship Module 2.1 (2019) https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_42380_1&content_id=_2633951_1&mode=view
Math is Fun (2016). Fibonacci Sequence. Retrieved from: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html
National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine (2015). The Inherent Properties of DNA Four-way Junctions. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537162/
