RE: Information, Data, taxonomy of knowing

[Ivan Webb <Ivan.Webb@bigpond.com>]

Vic Forte wrote about what he called 'direct knowledge' and used as his
example having direct knowledge of some wine as a result of having enjoyed a
glass of it.

The way I would understand this matter is to say that having drunk a glass
of wine I am likely to have acquired some experience of the wine. This
experience may be used to acquire some knowledge.  And like knowledge itself
this experience may be recalled at a later time.  However this experience
(which includes the enjoyment of a specific glass of it) cannot be shared
directly with others.  On the other hand some knowledge (data,
information...) relating to the wine may be shareable.

The role of mediation is usually to enable a person to derive knowledge from
experience by
 - mediating the experience itself (eg, helping to focus attention of
aspects of the experience (the flavours, colour, bouquet, viscosity, its
length, interaction with the palette ...) that might not otherwise receive
attention, articulating the experience into thoughts/words that will enable
further processing...)
 - mediating the processing of that experience (eg, helping to relate this
experience to previous experience and other knowledge...)
 - mediating the responses to the processing of the experience (eg, how we
communicate our experience/knowledge, what actions we take on the basis of
our newly acquired knowledge and what we have learned about ourselves as
thinkers, learners and respondents)

So I have found it useful (for me) to relabel Vic Forte's 'direct knowledge'
as 'experience which may be used to contribute to our knowledge'.
Feuerstein's mediation of learning is about providing assistance to enhance
a person's capacity to draw on their experience  in order to enhance their
knowledge... perhaps including how to select and use wine to enhance the
quality of our lives.

Like Vic I too 'believe it is important to appreciate direct knowledge
(experience - IW). And not only from a wine drinking perspective.'

Ivan Webb
________________________________________________
Always begin by making the tasks (process steps) easier. This releases
resources (time & energy) directly. Also rework & stress will reduce because
people want to do a great job and it will be easier to do so. The resources
released can then be used to achieve other improvements