Learning- in Theory and in Practice Response Blog

Discussion Question: What is the difference between the explicit and implicit dimensions of knowledge?

This chapter made me really think about the difference between knowledge and imformation. It is important for people to actually experience things in order for them to gain knowledge. Anyone can go on the internet or read a newspaper to get information, but knowledge is more personal and varies among every individual. I thought it was interesting to read about the project of the computer engineer that demonstrated the "community of practice". He told of a group of about 15 or so people, who all knew what was going on with what they were doing and they all were on a level working-field. The group was successful and had very few arguments. I can relate to this because it reminds me of the place that I work. I work at a used bookstore called Bookholders. There are only about 6 people working at a time and we all know how to do almost everything within the store. Even if someone does need help, all they have to do is ask and they can be shown. We are a very small group with very little structure and we all mesh as employees really well. There are few arguments and a lot gets done around the store. I think it is true that you need specific experience in order to gain specific knowledge about a specific topic. People who have a lot of experience doing what they are doing, have more job security or chance of getting a new job, than someone who simply has done a lot of reading about how to do a particular job. I also found it very interesting to learn that simply through the practice of speaking and listening, children learn about 13 words a day over 16 years. I never thought to compare how a child would learn to speak if they had to learn strictly from the dictionary. Because the practice isn't there, the learning method is extremely less effective.