Skip to content
7b1 Science Knowledge

Science Knowledge Accumulated & Revised Information

7b1 Science Knowledge
7b1 Science Knowledge

Science Knowledge Objectives

  • Provide examples of different forms of science media, and distinguish between primary and mediated experiences.
  • Distinguish between data, information, knowledge and wisdom and provide examples of each.
7b1 Science Knowledge
Media are forms of communication, the ways we store and deliver information.  Media can range from writing an idea on the back of a napkin to writing a blog, or producing a video.  In each case, there is a message communicated within a media form.
This video provides an overview of media, including the distinction between primary and mediated experiences.
7b1 Science Knowledge

Living with Media

Portable technologies like smart phones, tablets, and laptops enable us to fluidly move between the two forms of media use: accessing information to learn from other people and creating media to communicate with other people.
7b1 Science Knowledge

Visual Media

This includes photos, paintings, sketches, video, animations, simulations, TV, movies, and more.  Visual media has the advantage of attracting and holding attention, particularly if there is motion or novel elements.  Disadvantages include the difficulty in making visual media and accessibility for individuals with limited vision.

Sound Media

This includes audio recordings, radio broadcasts, phone calls, and more.  An advantage of sound media is authenticity, the brain perceives that sounds represent the real world.  Effective sound experiences can be challenging to produce and relay a limited amount of information.
7b1 Science Knowledge
7b1 Science Knowledge

Print Media

This includes books, brochures, posters, advertisements, exams, quizzes, handouts, and more.  Printed media has a tactile (touch) component that indicates substance and ownership.  Limitations include cost, resource use, and information limited by the size and quality of the printed material.

Digital Media

This includes websites, video games,  emails, texts, and more.  Digital media is becoming much easier to create with portable technologies, and can encompass multiple forms of media.  Digital media can be easily lost when technologies upgrade, so there is a perception of impermanence and inauthenticity.
7b1 Science Knowledge

Media is used to communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom.

7b1 Science Knowledge
We are continually picking up raw data with our senses and processing it to see if any of it is new information, or confirms information we already have.  Once processed, this information can develop into knowledge, and knowledge from multiple sources becomes the wisdom we use to make decisions.
This video defines data, information, knowledge, and wisdom.

We are continually looking for information in raw data to acquire knowledge about a situation that may develop into wisdom for future use.

7b1 Science Knowledge

Data

Data are observed facts that are unprocessed and unorganized.  Data lacks context and interpretation.  Examples include objects, amounts, and measurements.

Information

Information is making inferences from data, determining what is new and what confirms existing information.  Information is placing data in the context of answering questions, so this is assigning purpose to the data.  Information includes notes, figures, and charts.
7b1 Science Knowledge
7b1 Science Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge is the synthesis and structuring of information from multiple sources to develop a more complete understanding of a phenomenon.  Knowledge can make information actionable, the information can be used to answer questions and solve problems.  Examples of knowledge are formulas, theories, and laws.

Wisdom

Wisdom is integrating different knowledge bases and evaluating them.  Wisdom is knowing what to do with the knowledge in different situations, when the knowledge is appropriate, or where more data collection is needed.  Wisdom encompasses many bodies of work.
7b1 Science Knowledge
Developing knowledge about species how species change over time requires considering the species they interact with.  The next sections explores coevolution between species.
7b1 Science Knowledge
Check your knowledge.  Can you:
  • provide examples of different forms of science media, and distinguish between primary and mediated experiences?
  • distinguish between data, information, knowledge and wisdom and provide examples of each?
Go back to the Complexity Guide Overview
Go forward to the Speciation Page

Complexity Lecture Guide Contents

The material from this guide and corresponding lecture is assessed on the weekly quiz.

Back to Evolution

Module 7 Overview

This Guide

Complexity

Direct Link to Canvas

Submit Products