Week 1
Teaching and Learning Methods to be Employed
1. Introductory illustrated lecture
2. Interactive discussion: Where do we encounter databases in Nigeria daily?
3. Demonstration: Opening a sample database in MySQL Workbench
4. Think-Pair-Share: Differences between a file system and a database
Learning Outcomes / Objectives
By the end of this week, students should be able to:
1. Define data, information, and knowledge and explain their relationship.
2. Explain the concept of information management and its importance.
3. Distinguish between a file-based system and a database system.
4. Define a database and a Database Management System (DBMS).
5. List the key advantages of the database approach over file-based systems.
1.1 Data, Information, and Knowledge
These three terms are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings:
|
Term |
Definition |
Nigerian Example |
|
Data |
Raw, unprocessed facts and figures without context |
'08023451234', '45000', 'Minna', '2024-01-15' |
|
Information |
Data processed and organised to provide meaning |
'Customer Chukwuemeka in Minna transferred ₦45,000 on 15 January 2024' |
|
Knowledge |
Information interpreted and applied to make decisions |
'Customers in Minna transfer more funds on weekdays, schedule more agents then' |
The progression from data → information → knowledge is central to information management. Organisations like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) collect millions of raw transaction data points and transform them into economic indicators and policy knowledge.