Information Technology

Section 1.0. The economically powerful can afford computers that enable them to make the necessary things while others cannot.

There has been a huge technological revolution going on for the past decades since the birth of computers. Its onset gave way to previous unimaginable ideas that majority of us appreciate today. Despite its success, only a handful has access to its advantages, especially those who are rather economically ahead.

It has become evident that a “digital divide” had developed between the rich and poor countries. It is a missing link to all economic and social efforts. This missing link would have given way to great opportunities such as electronic commerce, electronic democracy and online participation, telecenters, and many more others.

So how did we reach to that certain point? How did these rich countries get to do more than most of us? To support this claim, there are implications.

Countries like the US and Japan could always put extra efforts into research. Why? Because they are powerful. In what aspect? Economics. It keeps our world turning. Like in our simple lives, you could always afford anything if you have the money.

Since rich countries have high revenue or turnover, they could always (1.1)provide research into further developments. Developments that make them far more advance in technology. These developments, (1.2)gives them more chances of product output.

Economic issues have since improved well for developed countries, (1.3)giving them more chances of business and trade with other developed countries as well. These countries have shown (1.4)commitment by granting the favorable terms of trade and open its markets by increasing financial flows on favorable terms. The developing countries also have (1.5)strengthened their competitiveness and have encouraged a greater public administration and democracy.

Although rich countries have more technological advancements than the poor ones, doesn’t mean they are better off. It is because this way, they (1.6)get to promote beneficial exchanges amongst countries which gives way to healthy a healthy trade and industry.

There must be a bridge in social and economic gaps that divided the world and to halt the marginalization of the developing world. By bridging the gap, there will be an acceleration of economic growth and increase of agricultural and industrial productivity.

Section 2.0. The discussion of provisions and easy access to ICT in economically powerful nations.

(2.1)Information and Communications Technology serves as the vital engine of growth for the world economy. Because of ICT, (2.2)there has been an increase of employment of capital and labor; (2.3)improvement of efficiency of works via the reengineering and restructuring of productive systems; (2.4)stimulations of healthy competition, promoting the enhanced productivity and to sustain economic growth and jobs; and increase of investments and increase of a certain country’s total factor productivity (TFP);

Many enterprising individuals, firms and communities all over the world, enable them to address economic and social challenges with greater efficiency and imagination. Thus giving way to the development of high-technology gadgets and computer parts increases the demands of the people worldwide thus, promises an increase of income.

In terms of businesses, the company’s products profile can be seen worldwide and so, different customers will appreciate it and then purchase it.

Section 3.0. The effects on poorer nation’s uninvolvement in Information and Communications Technology:

This is just exactly the opposite of what happens in Section 1. (3.1)Poor countries experience “knowledge gap”. Because they don’t have sufficient technology, they are not updated with current technologies that are currently in use. Actually, this is comparable to a chain reaction.

Having a knowledge gap thus leads to (3.2)a low productivity and (3.3)low quality of products, services and work performance.

Because poor countries are (3.4)always behind in terms of technologies used by the developed countries, they (3.5)lack in infrastructures, funding in human and institutional capacities; (3.6)lack in business connections, and (3.7)no possibility for the expansion of a business in another countries.

Also, products coming from poor countries, though competent, are always (3.8)discriminated for the technology on how it was made. Buyers are always particular about that.

The disadvantages of having poor products are almost, always, associated to (3.9)incompetent education of poor countries.

Section 4.0. Improvements of learning and teaching in using ICT.

There is growing enthusiasm in the educational development due to the integration of ICT. Information Technology is the driving force for a new techno-economic society. However, countries, at all levels of development must stay updated of the information revolution. It is important for countries in eliminating poverty, enhancing competitiveness, improving public sector management, participating in global trade and production, and promoting. But how? The first step is through education.

Through ICT, (4.1)students are able to engage in a higher-order of thinking; (4.2)there is an effective management of digital instructions which ensures the smoothness and the easiness of retrieving the files of resources; (4.3)instead of analytic study of single learning and instructional variables, it shifted to a whole configuration of events, activities, contents and interpersonal processes; and (4.4)there has been an emergence of web-based instructional delivery that is rapidly expanding the continuum of learning environments, especially the blended courses that include both campus-based and online components.

ICT, also lets students to (4.5)study distant education through getting online courses. Through the use of ICT, the information or knowledge dissemination which is the lecture and slide shows equivalent is the Web Page or the use of Powerpoint presentations. It (4.6)shows flexibility in the part of the students.

E-mail or chatting, the equivalent is the discussion or debate in the class. It can be a one in one talks or group discussion or problem solving. Practical or fieldwork the equivalent is laboratory, workshop exercise or field trip. ICT also provides films needed for a certain project or hands-on activity through simulations. It provides a multitude of ways computer power that can speed up testing, for both formative and summative feedback to learners. The posting of other students of their case studies or projects through the Web can also be considered as resources for a student’s study just avoid plagiarism.

Getting Started with ICT Blended Learning: Saunders; Academic Exchange Quarterly; 2003 (December 22); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

Section 5.0. The problems encountered in teaching and learning in having ICT in rich countries.

Despite the great ideals of ICT, it had proven some set backs over the years. Since students find the task easy, they will just simply (5.1)browse the net and then just copy the instructions given in there. It makes them become dependent and lazy.

The (5.2)student-teacher relationship was decreasing. If the students had problems instead of sharing it to the teacher they will just keep it which lessens the interaction between the two.

Another problem was the trends in (5.3)inventing different kind of products because of the methods and procedures posted and given in the Internet which they said are useful but the truth is it is very risky and dangerous. Some inventions specifically in terms of primary ICT which includes electricity can (5.4)cause death to humans if it is not properly installed.

Section 6.0. The ways in which the poor nations coping up knowing that there are also mistakes in learning ICT.

Aside from the disadvantages that ICT pose for most, poor nations also think that there are certain mistakes in acquiring knowledge through ICT.

Poor countries believe that ICT technology and knowledge was (6.1)the key to the elimination of poverty and to enhance the economic development. They are determined in (6.2)increasing the training and knowledge through the use of ICT. They see to it that there will be an (6.3)increase in communication links to enable new technologies used for the organization's advantage. They (6.4)engage themselves in business enhancements like the upgrading of their computers or machineries in order to produce a higher quality output and performance. They are (6.5)accepting more investments, since they believe that investment plays an important role in manufacturing business.

All this, make them think that although, there are mistakes in learning ICT from other countries there are still solutions and ways to correct it.

Economic and Social Policy: United Nation Press Release; 2001 (July 03); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

Section 7.0. These are the different ICT policies of some rich nations.

Here are some policies that rich countries implement to further develop ICT: (7.1)The Civil Society, the policies that allow ISPs to multiply on the market can result in a decrease in the cost of Internet access, making email accounts affordable to local NGOs and other community groups. This increases the efficiency and networking ability of these groups helping their work reaches their target populations. (7.2)Underserved Communities, the policies that addresses interconnection between land and cellular phone lines, good spectrum management, and free market competition often result in an expansion of cellular phone service at affordable prices. (7.3)Community Radio, the policies that address the allocation of the radio spectrum to include community radio stations can mean an increased number and range of locally run and owned radio, a prime method of communication with rural, largely illiterate communities. (7.4)Increase Access to Local Government and Improve Government Efficiency, a coherent e- government policy can help local municipalities “get online”, improving their management and communications ability and their accountability to the local citizens. (7.5)Economic Growth and Trade, a clear regulation concerning copyright, intellectual property rights and cyber crime help local ICT industries compete. Vague or no regulations can allow countries to become targets for unscrupulous practices that may not even be taking place within the country itself. (7.6)Effective integration of ICT in education, health, and other social sectors, a policy for ICT in education projects to be sustainable and scaled to national level initiatives, it is essential for governments to develop appropriate policies, to address curriculum reforms and to address budgetary issues associated with the deployment, maintenance, replacement and TCO of computer systems in schools, universities and other educational institutions.

ICT Policy and Sustainability: Experience from the dot-GOV Program; Business Reviews; 2006 (June 23); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

REFERENCE

Developing Research Models for ITC-based Pedagogy: Kennewell; 2004 (May 12); www.google.com; 02/09/2006; http://www.crpit.com.

Activity for the World Summit on the Information Society: Business Wire; 2005 (June 14); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

Information and Communication Technologies: Student’s engagement in higher-order thinking: Tay; Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia; 2003 (December 22); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

Economic and Social Policy: United Nation Press Release; 2001 (July 03); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

ICT Policy and Sustainability: Experience from the dot-GOV Program; Business Reviews; 2006 (June 23); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

The Role of Information and Communication in Economic Development: A Partial Survey: Bedi; Discussion Papers on Development Policy; 1999 (May); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

Information and Communication Technologies and the Network Organization: A Critical Study: Symon; Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology; 2000 (December 01); viewed 02 September, 2006; .

Getting Started with ICT Blended Learning: Saunders; Academic Exchange Quarterly; 2003 (December 22); viewed 02 September, 2006; .