How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation?

Education is not confined to mere information gathering. Information only keeps us well informed about things. Albert Einstein’s views about education only confirm that information gathering has its limitations. The History teacher asks when the Prussians defeated the French at Waterloo. Actually, he is seeking an information. It can be easily gathered from any good book on history. Einstein thinks that learning of days, dates and figures have no meaning or importance. What is important are the ideas. Ideas are the basis of education. So, insight formation must be the aim of education. Schools shouldn’t overburden students with the heaps of data collection. It is not important how many soldiers are killed and when they are killed. It is important to learn why soldiers try to kill others in war.

The real growth and development of the mind is more important than mere information gathering. Depth comes from the basics and not from facts and figures. Ideas are the essence of real education. Without the basics and ideas, education will be reduced to mere dead formalities and information gathering.