Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century

UNIT 6 information and communications technology

Lesson INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY:

1 Dimensions, Benefits, and Challenges

NATURE OF ICT
Information and Communications Technology or Technologies, usually
abbreviated as ICT, refers to a category of terms that cover any form of
communication device or application, including radio, television, cellular phones,
computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems, and the various
services and applications related with them, such as videoconferencing and distance
learning (TechTarget, 2016). The development of ICT traces its roots from as far
back as the Industrial Revolution but it is still considered as a relatively new sector
in contributing to the Philippine economy. The unprecedented growth of the ICT
industry in the past decades has helped the world economy increase as well. The
World Economic Forum confirmed that studies from various countries show the
positive effect of ICT on economic growth. A 10% increase in broadband penetration,
for example, is associated with a 1.4% increase in GDP growth in emerging economies.

The Philippines has similarly experienced this upward trend in the use of ICT
in its industries. In 2010, a survey of the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA)
has reported that about 97% of the 2,122 IE establishments used computer
and other hardware in their business operations. This is slightly nigher than
the 96.1% reported in 2009 and the 91.1% recorded in 2008. The same survey
has also reported an increase in Internet access with nine in every ten
establishments nationwide is reported to have Internet access in 2010. This
is higher than the 81.7% in 2008 and the 88.4% in 2009. The region with the
highest percentage of Internet access is the National Capital Region at
94.8% while the lowest is Cagayan Valley at 61.3%. Nowadays, it is almost
unthinkable for any business to run without the use of ICT. Some examples
of ICT industry segments include broadcast media, semiconductors and
electronics, IT and business process management (IT-BPM), software
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applications and telecommunications.

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 Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
UNIT 6 information and communications technology

FOUR DIMENSIONS
OF ICT

ICT is built on four dimensions-computing, communications, content, and human capacity although less focus was
given to computers in the WSIS forum. The reason may be because the trend for computing and other hardware
shows a decline in the prices. In using ICT as an instrument for development, it is important to point out that even
if the hardware is free (e.g., donated by a non-profit organization), communication, software, and training still
require financing and, in most cases, expensive.

1. Computing
Continuous innovation in the types of computer technology have been taking place so much that today's
networks and devices are capable or more complicated and sophisticated functions than those in 2003
and 2005. Moore's Law is used to describe the pace of change in ICT capabilities. This law makes the
observation that the capacity of critical ICT components, networks, and devices has been doubling
every eighteen months to two ears for the past five decades. This has a tremendous impact on the
capabilities of networks and devices not just at present but on the opportunities for even more
explosive growth in the future. Some of the emerging trends in computer technology are the transition
to broadband, cloud computing and cloud economy, datafication, data management and big data
analysis, and the use of smart systems.
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 Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
UNIT 6 information and communications technology

2. Communications
One of the most dramatic changes that have taken place in the field of
communications is the rapid spread of mobile telephony. Before the advent of
mobile networks, teledensity or the number of telephone connections per one
hundred people in a specified geographic area, in many less developed
countries is less than 1%. By 2010, mobile teledensity in developing countries
had reached an astounding two-thirds of population. Greater connectivity is
also facilitated by the fact that mobile telephones can offer viable Internet
access. This trend toward using mobile phones since 2010 continues. Eighty-six
percent of telephone subscriptions worldwide have already turned mobile,
including eighty-nine percent in developing countries and ninety-eight percent
in sub-Saharan Africa as of 2015. Developing countries have felt the impact the
most whore, for the first time, people are allowed to communicate
instantaneously at a distance wherever they may be for as long as there is an
existing network that services the area. Third generation networks (3G) that
enable Internet access are now available in both developed and developing
countries, though it may be unreliable in some rural areas. Higher capacity (4G)
networks are also now available. Mobile devices have become the primary mode
of Internet access for many users not only in developed, but also in developing
countries. This trend is expected to continue.

3. Content
The meaningful usage and deployment of ICT is carried out if it is applied to specific development
goals like literacy, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. This means that the relevance of
ICT is tied to its ability to be integrated into the delivery of traditional services like a education,
business, and employment. Transformation of these traditional services means having an e-learning,
e-business, and e-employment
In small and medium scale enterprises, for instance, 1CT enables more cost-effective sourcing
supplies, greater market reach, and better quality of goods. ICT can also improve supply chain
management and reduce information asymmetry among producers, traders, retailers and consumers
thereby improving market efficiency.
However, these benefits from ICT are only likely to be utilized by established entrepreneurs rather
than subsistence producers who would still have very limited access and infrastructure to embrace
fully the technology.
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UNIT 6 information and communications technology

4. Human Capacity
It is important to acquire all the necessary skills and knowledge related to ICT in order
to understand, participate actively in and benefit fully from ICT and the knowledge
economy. Improving human capacity means ICT in education and training at all levels
of society including distance learning. It also involves the promotion of e-literacy skills,
particularly for women and girls, young people, and other disadvantaged groups.
Lastly, there has to be capacity-building among leaders and operational staff in
developing countries and less developed countries, including local communities in the
rural and underserved areas, and information professionals.

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES IN ICT

During periods of slow growth and uncertainty in the market, more economies are looking for ways
to stimulate growth and create new jobs. ICT does not only provide jobs to millions of people around
the world, but it is also a stimulant of innovation and business expansion. New and more advance
technologies are needed for the continuous competitiveness of businesses and an indispensable tool
for industry leaders to stay on top. Some of the other benefits of ICT are the following.

1. Direct job
2. Emergence of new services and industries
3. Transformation of the workforce
4. Business innovation

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UNIT 6 information and communications technology

While the potential benefits of ICT are abundant, some challenges still need to be addressed in order
to maximize the full gains from investing in this technology.
1. Computing - Personal computers are still prohibitively expensive for many. This is
the reason why shared access through community centers and cybercafés is still
practiced. Some of the other costs that come with computer ownership come from
maintenance of security, upgrades, compatibility of the hardware and software,
and adding accessory devices like printers, scanners, speakers, and the like.
Complementary technologies that are non-PC devices like mobile phones should
be made into a viable option.
2. Connectivity -Mobile telephony has improved worldwide but it still remains
expensive, limited, and unreliable in rural areas and remote islands, end poor at
providing data connection.
3. Content -In several cases, content is not meaningful or locally relevant to the end
users. The system today tends to make the consumers passive recipient of
information instead of creators and producers of local information. In addition,
rich content required multimedia, which, in turn, requires a consistent and
reliable broadband connectivity.
4. Human Capacity -computer literacy remains a challenge. Users need to be aware,
literate, and innovative to maximize the full gains from ICT. Just as reading and
mathematical literacy are considered as priorities and necessities by both the
state and society, the same should be true for ICT. ICT is a language of its own.
People are empowered if they can master this language.

I. Lesson Closure

The influence of ICT is no longer confined in the fields of technology, business, or in

the academe. The political sphere has also felt the presence of this worldwide
phenomenon. ICT through social media has been proven capable of ushering social
movements. Britannica has defined social movement as a loosely organized but
sustained campaign which supports a social goal. This goal can either be an
implementation or the prevention of a change in society’s structure or values. The
size of social movements differs but the action is essentially collective. People more
or less gather together in a spontaneous fashion driven by a common outlook on a
specific issue that concerns the larger society.

References:
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Mangiduyos, Gladys P. (2017). Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century. Rex Book Store, Inc.
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Dela Cruz, A., Mabaquizo, N. Jr., and Fadrigon, C., (2017) Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
Culture. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.