From Information to Wisdom: Applying the JVDT Learning Formulas

Johan du Toit
Aug 26
2 min read

We often think of knowledge as the end goal of education. But what if it’s just the beginning?

In the JVDT methodology, knowledge is only the midpoint on a greater journey—one that leads to wisdom. And like any meaningful journey, it has clear stages, signposts, and formulas that guide us.

At the core of this movement from fact to formation are two foundational equations:

1. Knowledge = Information + Integration

2. Wisdom = Knowledge + Practice

These formulas don’t just describe what learning is—they show us how to build it, one step at a time.

Let’s explore what they mean and how they shape the JVDT classroom.

Equation 1: Information + Integration = Knowledge

Think of information as the raw material of learning—facts, ideas, images, and words. In isolation, it can be overwhelming or superficial. That’s why the JVDT methodology insists on integration—the intentional weaving of new input into what the learner already knows, feels, and values.

This happens in the first three stations of the Train Journey Metaphor:

🚉 Information Station: New material is introduced—clear, engaging, and meaningful.
🚉 Integration Station: Learners connect it to personal experience or prior knowledge.
🚉 Comprehension Station: They internalize and explain the concept in their own words.

This stage-by-stage approach transforms information into knowledge, not by memorizing, but by metabolizing it.

Example:

In a Grade 6 English lesson, students may read about climate change.

At the Information station, they learn the facts.
During Integration, they discuss local environmental issues in Kyiv.
At Comprehension, they summarize the causes and effects in a group presentation.

That’s the first formula in motion.

Equation 2: Knowledge + Practice = Wisdom

Wisdom is the lived-out application of what has been learned and understood. It takes knowledge and places it in the Field of Application—the final destination of the JVDT train.

Here, the learner begins to act, reflect, and adapt.

They use their English to write a letter to a government official.
They join a recycling campaign at school.
They discuss ethical dilemmas and cultural contexts in real-world scenarios.

Wisdom is not just what you know. It’s what you do with what you know.

In the JVDT classroom, this is where emotional intelligence, values, and courage come to life. The Field of Application is where students take the driver’s seat.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

In a world flooded with information, knowing things isn’t enough. The students in our care need the ability to process, apply, and adapt what they learn. They need: