Unit 11

The pursuit of wisdom

 Information, knowledge and wisdom
 information refers to factors or figures obtained from reliable sources information helps us to
develop our knowledge one of the ways to gather information is through research.
 steps to be followed in conducting research are.
 the first step is to find the problem then we have to collect data using the different data
collection instruments we need to interpret the data and finally we are expected to give
conclusion based on our interpretation of data.
 in conducting research, you find various sources of information this can be books journals or
other written materials it is possible to use our data collection instrument such as questionaries
observation interviews Internet etc.…

 After gathering your information you need to interpret the information interpretation does not
mean simply translating it into a language you understand by interpretation we mean and
identifying trends from which we can draw conclusion from the facts and figures in the case of
quantitative information and considering how much can be relied upon and what can or what
cannot be substantiated or supported by other evidences The information that to get has to be
evaluated weighing what is important and what is not the information which is misleading or
superfluous has to be discarded using the remaining information you can justify your study and
come up with conclusion not all types of information are equally important your information has
to be updated reliable accurate and constructive not all types of knowledge are applicable for
given situation the type of knowledge you need for a certain circumstance might be specific

 Knowledge can be defined as information, understanding or skill that you gain through education
or experience knowledge goes with wisdom knowledge is understanding of information.
 knowledge is made-up of facts concepts and generalizations .we get information from electronic
media such as radio TV and Internet print media such as books magazines newspapers and
others as well as from interaction with other people knowledge is the most powerful tool in the
hands of the man the transformation of knowledge science and technology has greatly impacted
our social lives knowledge influences the way man lives and interacts with nature through
knowledge society continues to change knowledge enable us to make breakthroughs in all
aspects of life including science and medicine
 knowledge refers to something very wide, but information refers to more specific factors
obtained for a particular purpose.
 Wisdom refers to the good use of knowledge it is to be able to have a mature understanding of
things to make sensible decision knowledge offers alternative ways of doing things but wisdom
helps you to choose the best option to be more effective to choose and apply the knowledge
 required for a given situation involves wisdom is the skill of making use of knowledge for the
intended purpose.
 Scientific methods of collecting and analyzing data evolves through before a theory or
hypothesis is accepted as a fact.
 hypothesis is the problem that you need to solve through research.
 these three fundamental forms of knowledge
 Three fundamental forms of knowledge are facts concepts and generalization.
 Facts
 Facts are real and true people do not disagree on facts you cannot disagree about facts unless
you lack knowledge about the subject.
 concepts
 A concept is an idea or thought that comes from analysis of facts together they make up
concepts concept involve analysis, evaluation and comparison.
 When we think seriously about a concept you analyze it when you examine its uses you evaluate
it and when you compare a given concept with the other concept you make a comparison
 Generalization
 a generalization is a statement, principle or opinion based on some factors but not all of the
facts the purpose of generalization is to express more than what a single fact or concept can
express.
 Your generalization can be inductive or deductive inductive generalization goes from the
particular or simple to general or complex while deductive generalization goes from general or
complex to the particular or simple.
 1 1.3 types of learning
 there are three fundamental forms of learning these are formal learning, informal learning and
learning through free inquiry or research.
 formal learning
 Is a process of learning that takes place in a specifically designed learning environment in schools
knowledge or coordinate school involves different inputs these include human and material
inputs such as teachers students and administrative some, school compound, classrooms,
furniture, instructional materials, teaching aids, laboratory chemical etc… in formal learning
students acquire knowledge which is divided into different subject areas and designed on the
basis of learning and teaching the principles
 informal learning
 It is a means of acquiring knowledge out of school in informal learning there is no defined
system, rules, regulations and methodology of learning instead it consists of learning by
observation,imitation, practice, social instruction and interaction we learn informally from
experience in the course of interaction with family, friends and the society at large as a result
there is no time and space restriction to pursue informal learning in contrast to the one you are
familiar with in school
 learning by inquiry or research
 this is the most advanced form of learning through making an effort to discover new knowledge
and to practice new skills in build upon the existing ones there is no single method of research
different fields of study have their own methods of research however any form of scientific
research consists of the following features.
 A problem to be solved or equation to be answered.
 specific methods of collecting information
 Analysis of information or data
 Organization and classification of data and Suggesting solution to the problem.
 developing reading habit
 the habit of reading is linked to the pursuit of wisdom reading expanders the frontiers of
knowledge one who reads is uninformed citizen who can make informed judgments you have to
read with a purpose without a purpose reading with meaningless.
 reading is an important means of getting knowledge for instance you gain subject to knowledge
from reading the textbooks you can expand your general knowledge by reading outside the
subject matter reading helps you to be well-rounded person this is archived when you develop
your habit of reading.
 Effective use of the school library helps you to get more knowledge the Internet is another
important source of knowledge however you have to be very careful when you select topics and
access what you would like to know.
 use of information
 Information is definite knowledge got or specific subject collecting facts or data information is
important for decision making the right type of decision is an important or necessary for making
a right decision such a decision is called an informed decision.
 there are different sources of information the first one is observation it means to focus on what
you want to examine and gather information on is books, magazines, newspapers, brochures are
examples of print media and radio TV and Internet are examples of electronic media both print
and electronic media can be used as source of information
 same formation obtained from the right source can be considered as dependable such types of
information can serve as data
 data refers facts or figures obtained from experiments or service used as a basis for making
calculation or drawing conclusions data is important or necessary for decision making.
 there are instruments for collecting data such as questionaries observations group discussions
ETC the amount of data needed for a specific is varies, depending on the nature and type of
study or investigation conducted, the amount of data you collect, referred to us samples must be
true presentation of the area you are researching to enable you make the right conclusions.
sample in other words, is data collectors through different instruments of research
 truthfulness
 Truthfulness refers to bring honest in what one sees or does truthfulness is one of the
characteristics of good citizens.
 you have the moral and legal duty to tell the truth when you make mistakes do not hide them
and do not blame others for your mistakes rather learn from your mistakes. In order to learn
from one`s own mistakes, the first thing that you have to do id admit your mistakes/ you have to
be open to learn from your own mistakes rather than attempting to hide them. When you are a
truthfull citizen, you gain the respect to others.