ICTs in a Global Context - Article Example

ICT's in a Global Context Introduction Information Communications Technology (ICT) refers to any device that is used to broadcast information. Cell phones, radio, television, MP3 players, and optical disks are all examples of communicating information via images or sound (Wikipedia 2004). The creation of the Internet has also made a wealth of information available to those who have access to a computer. Although it appears to be a modern day convenience, the Internet has its drawbacks as well. There are still several people in the world who do not have computers, nor do they know how to access the Internet. It also seems as though new software and programs are developed so frequently, that there is hardly a chance for everyone to keep up with new products. The Internet has also led to an increase in globalisation. Businesses are now able to expand and provide their services and goods in other countries; international financial institutions have been created, and the advanced modes of transportation have all contributed to the spread of globalisation (Global Policy Forum 2008). ICT has been instrumental in business, education, health and politics, but this too comes at a price. The Internet has made communication easier through sharing information. "As of 2006, according to Internet World Stats, around 70% of the population in the United States is on the Internet. Throughout the world, there are almost 1.1. billion users of the Internet as of 2006 and half of them reside in Europe and Asia" (Get ISP.info 2008).This number seems rather small when considering that it only represents about 1/6 of the population. Given this, worldwide use of the Internet is expected to increase. ICT has provided a means for people around the world to communicate with each other, but what price do we pay for such a convenience' If only 1/6 of the world population is on the Internet, this suggests that either the rest of the population does not own a computer, or they are just not interested in the Internet. Either way, several people will be left behind because they do not have knowledge of the Internet or how it works. ICT has had a significant influence on the economy. The production of goods in the global market has increased dramatically, and more avenues have opened for trade amongst different countries. This, in turn, creates more jobs for people and higher revenues for businesses. These businesses also benefit from ICT because of the creation of E-business. "E-business allows for information to be acquired and goods and services purchased via the Internet with increasing trust, speed and volume" (Enterprise and Industry, 2008, p. 1). This proves to be a problem for those who do not have the necessary capital to compete in such a market. What about small business owners who do not have the advantage of providing their services to global markets' In this case, they may be forced out of business because the larger companies are far more advanced technologically (Enterprise and Industry 2008). ICT has also had a significant impact on how companies are able to market their services and goods. Websites have provided an easier way for consumers to shop and pay for their products online. (ERDF 2008). The formation of networks within businesses also provided a way to share secure information via a server. Networks allow for pertinent information to be stored in a central location so that all employees have access to it. This also allows for businesses to maintain their competitive edge given that they have the most up-to-date technology and software. Staff also needs to be trained on how to operate new equipment in order to help develop the company, and provide quality services to its customers. Along with the impact that it has had on businesses, ICT has also contributed to globalisation. Emails, airplanes, boats, phone services, and computers have all made it easier for world countries to communicate and depend on one another. There are now more international laws and social movements that were formed based on the premise of interdependence (Global Policy Forum 2008). World countries can rely on each other to provide goods and services. Money and materials would be able to cross international borders because of the new opportunities for growth that were created by ICT's. Education is another field in which ICT's have also made a noteworthy difference. Students are now able to engage in distance learning via the Internet. Teachers can now provide their students with interactive classrooms exercises that can be done on the computer. This may pose a problem for those students who learn better through lectures or examples given by their teacher. Not all students are able to sit at a computer, read, and absorb all that they have read. At some point, there needs to be some face-to-face instruction between teacher and student. After e-learning had been created, "Later on the learning platform developers has become more aware that learning requires social activities among the learners themselves and the learner and the teacher(s)" (Leinonen, 2008, p.1). Another example of e-learning in the classroom is students being able to watch television to become familiar with the news and current events. Globalisation has left many people without jobs, and has created a further divide between those who are technically savvy and those who are not. Those people who live in poor countries do not have the luxury of owning a computer. Even if they were able to buy a computer, who is to say that they would be able to access the Internet. Poor telecommunications might be an issue, or the persons' lack of skill in trying to use a computer. Governments in certain countries might also have control over what its citizens are able to research or look at over the Interne (Globalisation 2006). All of these factors pose a problem for those who cannot benefit from globalisation, so there will be a gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots". We have only hit the tip of the ICT iceberg. So many services and systems were designed for our convenience, but have proven themselves to be anything but. Banks tell us that we can call their automated service line for assistance with our problems, but that is no substitute for speaking with a live person. Long hold times and representative error might make the stay on hold a bit longer than usual. How is this system convenient> What ever happened to human contact' A service called e-health was created to make it easier for doctors to have access to laboratory results and medical records. People traveling out of the country would be able to have their medical history more readily available because it is in a centralized location for doctors to access. This system also allows patients to use mobile monitors so that their results can be recorded electronically (Europe's Information Society 2008). The problem with such a service is relying upon the system, which in most case is the computer, breaks down and valuable files and data are stored on there. Better yet, what would happen is someone was able to hack into the system and find privileged information' I do not agree that this system is fool-proof, or even that it is as effective as some other ways of storing information. We are placing so much faith in a computer for the sake of getting things done faster. Although it might be convenient, I do not agree that things that are convenient are necessarily better. ICT's also impact culture in several different ways. According to the Netherlands Council for Culture (2004) "The Internet and digital media have an impact on how artists and culture-makers express themselves, how our cultural heritage is presented and made accessible, how libraries make information accessible to the public, and how the media presents news, public debate and culture" (p. 8). The Internet allows for digital media and ideas to be shared with people all over the world. Communication between different countries also enables us to share cultural ideas and new innovation. E-culture can also create a gap between generations of family. Teens today are more technically savvy than their parents and grandparents. The use of mobile phones and text messaging has created more of a divide between youths and their families, changing the way that they relate to each other. The media can also be held accountable for the expression of culture through programs and documentaries that are aired on television and over the Internet. Individuals are better able to learn about cultures that are both similar and different from their own (Netherlands Council for Culture 2004). ICT's have become so prevalent in society that an Authority was created with the sole purpose of regulating the ICT sector. According to the Corporate Plan of the ICT Authority (2005) "We acknowledge that competition and technology change, can very often bring, besides the expected positive gains, disruption and confusion for consumers" (p. 1). The Authority's plan to remedy this problem is to provide consumers with the information that they need about how specific technology works and how it can be accessed. This suggests that there is an obvious problem for those who are not able to keep up with current technology. I agree with the statement that what we have seen with the advances in technology is just the tip of the iceberg. The developing world is at risk of crashing into that iceberg, rather than making use of it. There are far too many countries and people who have not caught up with the times. Third world countries may not see access to the Internet as being one of their chief concerns when they have people that are starving. What do we do then' How do we go about creating opportunities for the countries of the world to maintain a competitive edge' Developing countries may have a difficult time maintaining their economy and other systems if they are not able to compete with the rest of the world. The ICT Task Force (2004) was created with this goal in mind. Their focus on raising awareness and providing opportunities for other countries to grow is of great importance. Their belief is that the people and countries of the world should have access to a telephone and the Internet. This in turn, would ensure a healthier and fulfilling lifestyle for themselves and future generations (Economic and Social Council 2006). An area of particular interest for me is the role of ICT's and education. Since the younger generation will be the next group of leaders, it is important that they are able to think critically and challenge what is considered the norm. The classroom can be considered the best place for students to challenge themselves and others to think about how technology impacts us. In his book entitled "ICT: Changing Education" (2000) author Chris Abbott states "It is its ability to provide and retrieve information, together with its potential as a communicative tool, rather than as a teacher substitute, that is the basis for claims that the computer will change schooling irrevocably" (p. 8). I agree with this statement. Students today have all of the information that they need at their fingertips. If they are required to write a paper, all they have to do is logon to the Internet and type in whatever topic they are looking for. No longer are students actually visiting libraries to conduct their research. The Internet has created a generation of students who rely solely on technology to provide them with the information that they need. Conclusion ICT's have been instrumental in changing politics, health, business, economy, culture, education, and many other social systems and institutions. Although ICT's have created more opportunities for trade, commerce, communication, and learning, they are not without their faults. There is a price that we pay when we rely on technology on a daily basis and not our own skills and capabilities. What would happen one day if the Internet no longer existed' What would we do and how would we survive' The younger generations are at a disadvantage because all they know is modern technology and how it may benefit them. In five or maybe ten years, there will be several more innovations and advances in technology. This creates more of a problem for the older generations who have not yet mastered the old system. I believe that the world might be at a disadvantage when dealing with ICT's. Yes, some things are now more convenient for us because of ICT's, but everyday we lose a part of our independence by relying on them. References Abbott, C. (2000) ICT: Changing education. London, Rutledge Falmer Enterprise and Industry (2008). ICT for competitiveness & innovation [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 19 October 2008]. Europe's Information Society Thematic Portal (2008). Better healthcare for Europe [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 18 October 2008]. European Regional Development Fund (2008). ICT and business development [Internet], Europe. Available from: http://ict.developmentgateway.org/uploads/media/ict/Bari__- _ICT_and_Business_Development1.doc> [Accessed 18 October 2008]. Get ISP.info (2008). A brief history of the Internet [Internet], Available from: http://www.getisp.info/history-internet2.html [Accessed 18 October 2008]. Globalisation (2006). Introduction to globalisation. [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 19 October 2008]. Global Policy Forum (2008). Globalization [Internet], United States. Available from: [Accessed 19 October 2008]. Information and Communications Technology Authority (2008). Corporate Plan 2005-2008 [Internet], Mauritius. Available from: [Accessed 20 October 2008]. Leinonen, T. (2008). (Critical) history of ICT in education-and where we are heading' [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 19 October 2008]. Read More