UNIT TWO: INFORMATION
2.2. WHAT IS INFORMATION?
The word information is derived from the Latin word “informare”, which means ‘to instruct’ or “inform”. Information informs us about things that we didn’t know before or never experience. In essence, information is new knowledge to the person having or using it. Normally, information is derived from the processed data- processed form of data. Since information is a product of data, it may comprised of texts, symbols, pictures, videos which have meanings.
2.2.1. Differences between information and data
Some of the differences between information and data are:
1. Data is raw material from which information is derived
2. Data has little or no meaning to the user
3. Information is the product of data processing
4. Information can be used to derive inferences, conclusions and take decision on issues, while data cannot be use for doing that.
2.2.2. Sources of information
Information can be obtained from processed data from various sources such as:
1. Schools
2. Hospitals
3. Markets
4. Community
5. Households
2.2.3. Importance of information
Information is very important to the well-being of man, in that it is use for taking decisions on various aspects of his life-governance, education, business, personal development etc. Some of the uses of information to man is as follows:
1.It helps us make better decisions
2. It helps us to have idea on things
3. It changes our thinking pertaining certain things
4. It improves our lives
Examples of the uses of the information in the education system
1. Students need information on their performance, so as to know their academic status, or how they are featuring in school
2. School administrators, need information regarding the performance of their pupils so as to know how the students and teachers are featuring in the teaching and learning process
3. Parents need information on their children to enable them know their performance in school