Definition of Information Visualization and Knowledge Visualization
1. Definition of Information Visualization and Knowledge Visualization
Information visualization concentrates on the use of computer-supported tools to explore large amount of abstract data. Practical application of information visualization in computer programs involves selecting, transforming and representing abstract data in a form that facilitates human interaction for exploration and understanding. Important aspects of information visualization are the interactivity and dynamics of visual representation. Strong techniques enable the user to modify the visualization in real-time, thus affording unparalleled perception of patterns and structural relations in the abstract data in question.

Knowledge visualization - "the use of visual representations to transfer knowledge between at least two persons" (Burkhard and Meier, 2004), aims to improve the transfer of knowledge by using computer and non-computer based visualization methods complementarily. Examples of such visual formats are sketches, diagrams, images, objects, interactive visualizations, information visualization applications and imaginary visualizations as in stories.

While information visualization concentrates on the use of computer supported tools to derive new insights, knowledge visualization focuses on transferring insights and creating new knowledge in groups. Beyond the mere transfer of facts, knowledge visualization aims to further transfer insights, experiences, attitudes, values, expectations, perspectives, opinions, and predictions by using various complementary visualizations. And this in a way that enables someone else to re-construct,  remember, and apply this knowledge correctly. According to Eppler and Burkhard (2005) six formats can be distinguished in Knowledge Visualization: Heuristic Sketches, Conceptual Diagrams,Definition of Information Visualization and Knowledge Visualization Visual Metaphors, Knowledge Animations, Knowledge Maps, and Domain Structures.

Knowledge Visualization has its roots in Information Design, Instructional Message Design, Pedagogy, Cognitive Psychology, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Sciences and Knowledge Management, where it is a key-issue to make knowledge visible so that it can be better identified, accessed, shared, discussed, applied, or generally be managed. (Wikipedia.org)

2. Knowledge Management

4. The challenge of knowledge visualization

4.1 Knowledge Transfer
Today, contents are becoming more complex, abstract, and interrelated. And for the transfer mainly verbal representations are used. In organizations there is a need to complement verbal representations with visual representations. To do so, organizations need guidelines to face their daily challenges: The war for attention, the limited time and mental capacity of the audience, and the need to provide the relevant information in different levels of detail. Today, in organizations only a limited set of tools are used (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, business Diagrams, clip arts), and a lack of visual competence results often in bad use or even misuse of such visual formats, which can lead to misinformation and/or misinterpretation. In organizations the ignorance on the various different functions of visual representations leads to the fact that visualizations are only used in specific domains, i.e., Advertising, Marketing, Corp#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
orate Identity. A variety of functions are unknown in organizations and therefore not used. Examples for such functions are the interactive visual exploration of data, the mapping of information to present both an overview and detail, the use of Visual Metaphors to transfer and remember complex concepts, or visual Storytelling to disseminate knowledge.

4.2 Inter-functional communication
Today, the transfer of knowledge needs to overcome another difficult problem: The varying needs and backgrounds of the addressed recipients. In general individuals can only understand something, if it can be connected to something they already know. But this differs. Therefore knowing and addressing the background and the context of the individual recipient is decisive. This results in a complex task for the visual knowledge transfer: On the one hand the visual formats need to be target 怎么寫(xiě)留學(xué)essayroup specific, which will result in different formats and different amounts of information depicted; on the other hand these contents that are presented to the different stakeholders should not be contradictory.

4.3 Information overload
Today, we are surrounded by information, but still have a limited capacity (and time) for absorbing new information. In its worst scenario it can lead to an information paralysis where people cannot pickup relevant information anymore. This so called information overload is a predominant problem in organizations. On the one hand we can perceive an increasing quantity of information; on the other hand we can indicate a decreasing quality of the information provided. As a consequence it is hard for recipients to identify the relevant information. The needs, in regard to information overload, are to catch the attention, to offer strategies to better filtering and exploring potentially relevant information, and to improve the information quality systematically. To do so, it is important to prevent misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and misuse of information.

5. Knowledge Visualization Framework

For an effective transfer of knowledge through visualizations four perspectives (Figure 1) should be considered, which are based on four relevant questions:
? Why should knowledge be visualized? (aim)
? What type of knowledge needs to be visualized? (content)
? Who is being addressed? (recipient)
? What is the best method to visualize this knowledge? (medium)
These questions lead to the Knowledge Visualization Framework, which is grounded in previous frameworks [Burkhard, 2004; Eppler and Burkhard, 2005] and can be seen in Figure 1.
 
Figure1: The Knowledge Visualization Framework

The Knowledge Visualization Framework consists of four perspectives that need to be considered when creating visual representations that aim to transfer and create knowledge: A Function Type Perspective answers why a visualization should be used, a Knowledge Type Perspective clarifies the nature of the content, a Recipient Type Perspective points to the different backgrounds of the recipient/audience, and finally the Visualization Type Perspective structures the main visualization types according to their individual characteristics.#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

6. Knowledge visualization through the web

One of the Challenges of knowledge transfer is the geography and distance between the group members. Knowledge visualization through the website could approach the problem effectively.

Reference
[Burkhard, R., 2004] Burkhard, R.: "Learning from Architects: The Difference between Knowledge Visualization and Information Visualization"; Eight International Conference on Information Visualization (IV04), London, July, (2004).