Page:SELECTED ESSAYS of Dr. S. S. KALBAG.pdf/85

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we need in our country today, are millions of little inventors rather than a few great thinkers. Everyone, even the dullest, can indulge in problem solving and make little inventions. Many of them may not be even worthy of notice from others, but to the individual, they do immense good. Today, we need to train students to be such little inventors. Our progress will depend on how many of them we can turn out. Why problem-solving orientation? Problem solving turns information into knowledge. Information is stored in books, libraries and in our memory. When we put information to use, it gets converted into knowledge. Thus, knowledge is that information which has been stored in the memory after testing it in action. When we are given a formula, say, E=MC?, where E is energy. Mis the mass of matter being converted into energy and c is the velocity of light; one cannot be expected to be able to use such an equation straightaway, even if one is good in arithmetic. One must be able to choose the appropriate units that are compatible with the formula. Only after one has used the formula a few times, does one feel sufficiently at home with it. The information about the formula becomes knowledge after its use. In problem solving, design, construction, assembly and other such activities are very effective in converting information into knowledge. When we read instructions on the use of a product, e.g. an adhesive, we have information. When we have used it a few times, we have knowledge about the product, i.e. the adhesive and its use. When we use this adhesive as part of our problem solving, (say, to make a prototype), we get an insight into what the adhesive can do, and equally important, what it cannot. Both are important pieces of Rural Development Through Education System 72