Information, knowledge, and learning: My reflection in 2007

Erin Cunia, ecbcunia@syr.edu

EDU 655 Fall 2007 Syracuse University School of Education

Professor Michael Hardt, mhardt@twcny.rr.com

Information, knowledge, and learning: My reflection in 2007

Having to define these words is actually quite appropriate at this stage in my academic career. Defining learning was one of the first things I did in one of my first classes as an IDD&E Master's student. At that time we were asked at the beginning of the course and then at the end of the course to define what learning is. In my thoughts at the beginning of the course, I said that "learning is the processing of information... the act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill" (Cunia, 2003a). Later, as we learned about the different learning theories, behaviorism, cognitivism, and social learning theory, I discovered that Ormrod (1999) defines learning in two ways: 1. learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience, and 2. learning is a relatively permanent change in mental associations due to experience." Behavioral Learning Theory focuses on the learning of tangible, observable behaviors or responses" (Barrett, 2003b). "The Cognitive Learning Theory focuses not on the behavioral outcomes but on the thought processes involved in human learning. These theorists make a distinction between learning and memory. Learning is viewed as the acquisition of new information. Memory, on the other hand, is related to the ability to recall information that has been previously learned" (Barrett, 2003b). Finally, "Social Learning Theory (SLT) describes how the environment affects a person's behavior" (Barrett, 2003b). Long after this course I have understood learning to be an observable, measurable change in behavior.

Let's go back. Information. It all starts with information. Information exists. Everywhere. According to Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary, information is knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction; knowledge is the range of one's information or understanding; learning is knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study (2007). These three words are similar and are linked and have instruction in common. I see all information as a learning opportunity whether it is an advertisement, a news article, the weather, or a math textbook; every piece of information in the world is meant to teach someone something. Whether it is to teach them about a product, a procedure, or an event; it's all about teaching them the piece of information that we want them to learn. How we market that information instructionally determines how the person will learn it or whether they will learn it at all. Merriam-Webster defines marketing as the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service and instruction as the action, practice, or profession of teaching (2007). "Therefore, Information Marketing is the process of promoting and distributing knowledge obtained from study or instruction. Information Marketing Instruction is the practice of teaching the process of promoting and distributing knowledge obtained from study or instruction" (Cunia, 2007). I am very interested in this relationship between information, marketing, and instruction.

So what are learning, knowledge, and information? Information is anything to be learned. Knowledge is an understanding of information learned. Learning is an observable and measurable change in behavior through knowledge of information.

References

Barrett, E.C. (2003, September 1). The study of learning: A thought paper. Syracuse University IDE 621. Retrieved at http://erincunia.com/portfolio/MSportfolio/ide621/ide621f03production/learningtheory.htm.

Barrett, E.C. (2003, November 23). The study of learning: A thought paper. Syracuse University IDE 621. Retrieved at http://erincunia.com/portfolio/MSportfolio/ide621/ide621f03production/learningtheory.htm.

Cunia, E.C. (2007). Definitions. Retrieved September 14, 2007 from http://erincunia.com/blog/2007/09/my-definitions.html.

Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2007). Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved September 4, 2007 at http://webster.com.

Ormrod, J.E. (1999). Human learning, 3^rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Merril Prentice Hall.