MVGFC MANUEL V.

GALLEGO FOUNDATION COLLEGES

LIVING IN THE IT ERA

MODULE 2: Digital Technology and Social Change

Topics:
1. Introduction to the Digital Age
2. The ICT and its Role in Social Change
3. Global Digital Development
4. Technological Change
5. Social Evolution

INTRODUCTION:

The internet and telecommunication industry in the 1990s changed the way we connect
and exchange information. Digital technology impacted people in many ways. By the way,
people live, work, learn, and socialize. Digital technology comprises electronic tools,
devices, and systems that generate, store, and process data. It enables us to experience
the benefits of advanced information technology systems. Such as efficiency and
productivity, improved communication and collaboration, and faster acquisition of
information. In this lesson, we will discuss the digital age and its effect on society, the
two-essential theory in technology, and how technological change takes place.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the Lesson, students should be able to:

a) Explain the fundamental concepts and key characteristics of the Digital Age;
b) Analyze how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has contributed
to social change; and
c) Apply ethical decision-making skills in the context of digital technology.
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GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of digital development in
the lives of humankind?
2. How can digital technology bring about social change?

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Digital Age.

The digital age, also known as the Information age, is a period when the computer
and the internet were introduced. It is caused by the rapid shift from traditional industry to
computerization to artificial intelligence which was brought by Industrial Revolution. These
technologies enabled people to communicate information easily and rapidly. Digital
Technology became prevalent and widely used around the world. Information can be
accessed easily, especially with the use of the internet. House chores and jobs are getting
automated with the help of machines and equipment. Mobile phones became very useful
in every area of life --- in education, entertainment, jobs, etc. Digital technologies have
radically changed the way people work, consume, and communicate over a short period.

Lesson 2: The ICT and its Role in Social Change

Social Change
Deviation in any area of society can be termed social change. That is, the
change taking place in all the fields like political, social, economic, moral,
physical, etc. can be called social change.
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Example:
Industrial Revolution.
A period of major innovations during the late 1700s-1800s.

In defining the meaning of social change, one should consider the following:
Number of affected people ( individual, group, society)
Length of time, “change” is measured.

Theories for Social Change

Cyclical Theory
➢ According to Oswald Spengler society undergoes stages at birth, maturity, decline
and even eventually ethical change may signal progress to decline or decay but
the only consistent thin thing is that no society is permanent.

Theory of Social Change by Karl Marx

➢ Marx posits that the economic factor is the only factor that is solely responsible for
social change. He called this theory ‘’ Deterministic’’ or the ‘’single factor theory’’
of change in society. This economic factor is the reason for the continuous class
struggle in society.

Theory of Herbert Spencer

➢ Compared Social change to that of a microorganism. As per Spencer, society is
innately militant and struggled to exist. This militant society moved to industrialism
to differentiate itself and eventually moved to integration.
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➢ It has the power to transform society.

➢ ICT has been used to embrace technological innovation and merging in
information and communication transforming our world into information or
knowledge societies mostly depends on access to information.
➢ It greatly eased to flow of information and knowledge offering the socially
marginalized community an extraordinary chance to attain their rights socially.
➢ The development economically, educationally, and politically.
➢ It also enables financial inclusion through m-commerce and allows people to
connect with millions instantaneously.
➢ It is widely acknowledged that Information and Communication Technology
have the potential to play a vital role in social development.

Importance of ICT for Social Change

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers us the possibility to

acquire information and to connect with other people at a speed and across
distances unprecedented in history. For those without access to ICT, the
knowledge and resources gap can grow exponentially. This gap, often
referred to as the ‘’digital divide’’ is usually caused by poverty and lack of
infrastructure. In the case of women, cultural expectations and prejudice can
further exacerbate their lack of access to ICT.
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LESSON 3: Global Digital Development

Global Digital Development describes the use and application of technology and
digital tools in international development to close the global digital divide and make
certain countries take full advantage to close global digital divide and make a
certain countries take full advantage of the ongoing digital development revolution.

Global Digital Divide

Describes global disparities, primarily between developed and developing
countries, in regards to access to computing and information resources such as
the internet and the opportunities derived from such access.

Obstacles to overcome Global Digital Divide

1. Physical Access- individuals need to obtain access to computers, landlines, and
networks to access the internet.
2. Financial Access- the cost of ICT devices, traffic, applications, technician and
educator training, software, maintenance and insfractractures require ongoing
financial means.
3. Socio-Demographic Access- among different countries, educational levels and
income are the most powerful explanatory variables, with age being a third one.
4. Cognitive Access- in order to use computer technology, a certain level of
information literacy is needed. Futhur challeges include information overloiad and
the ability to find and use reliable information.
5. Design Access- computers need to be accessible to individuals with different
learning and physical activities.
6. Institutional Access- the numbers of users are greatly affected by whether
access is offered only through individual homes or whether it is offered through
schools, community centers, religious institutions, cybercafes or post offices,
especially in poor countries where computer access at work or home is highly
limited.
7. Political Access- democratic political regimes enable faster growth of the internet
than authoritarian or totalitarian regimes.
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8. Cultural Access- many experts claim that bridging the digital divide is not
sufficient and that the images and language needed to be conveyed in a
language and images that can be read across different cultural lines.

Five Key Strategies for Digital Development

• Digital Insfractracture
• Digital fianaces services and digital identification
• Digital innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Digital platforms including e-commerce
• Digital literacy and skill.

Lesson 4: Technological Change

Technology
➢ Those devices and machines that assist us to tackle issues or do new things.
➢ The procedure, abilities, and techniques for taking care of an issue, (for example,
building innovative or medicinal innovation

How Does Technology Evolve?

➢ According to Brian Arthur, ‘’Technology evolves’’, and that technological evolution
happens because of the phenomenon he calls combinatorial evolution.

Combinatorial Evolution which means Inventions are result intentional

combination of existing technologies through a process that involves interplay
between experience and knowledge-and driven by need.

The Factors that Affect Technological Evolution

➢ System Theory- simply put, a successful system is stable but can adapt over time.

➢ Feedback between Technology and Society- Societal needs create the need for
new and improved technologies, as new technologies spawn new needs in society.

➢ Maladaptive Features- successful or stable tools, systems, or software in one

platform may be unstable or unsuccessful in other platforms.

➢ Niche Construction- technological companies like Apple which can create

demand for a technological product through their marketing initiatives can create
a niche market.
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➢ Cultural Variations-basically points out that differences in culture, beliefs,
attitudes, skills, customs, and even financial capabilities also affect how technology
advances and evolves in a particular geographical area or culture.

Lesson 5: Social Evolution

Social evolution is a broad set of theories that attempt to explain how and why
modern cultures are different from those in the past. Social Evolution is the gradual
development of society and social forms, institutions, etc. Socio-cultural evolution is
based on changes in behavior patterns, social relationships, values, and beliefs that
happen in the human population.

Social Evolution is a constant and steady reality that humankind is deemed to face
as society grows and cultural beliefs are influenced by controlled and uncontrolled
forces.

Social Evolution is evident because of social changes.

The Concept of Social Evolution

• Mid 19th Century, Charles Darwin- Physical Evolution theories expressed
in the Origin of Species and the Descent of Man.
• Social Phenomena- the individual, external, social constructions that
influence our lives and development and are constantly evolving as we age.
• The Influence of Greeks and Romans- Social Evolution was that society
developed from a family-based organization.

In defining the meaning of social change, one should consider the following:
Number of affected people ( individual, group, society)
Length of time, “change” is measured.

TYPES OF SOCIAL EVOLUTION

Biological Evolution- occurs through genetic variation and reproduction and
involves the transfer of genes from one generation to the next. Evolution in the human
population is the differences in shapes and features of indigenous people living in
contrasting climates and environmental conditions.
Cultural Evolution- it occurs through the development of customs and languages and
involves the transfer of information either within a generation. Change in the lifestyle of
modern humans from nomadic hunter-gatherers to permanent settlers.
Technological Evolution-it refers to the changes over time in technology that give
humans increased control over their environment. Include the change from stone tools to
metal tools, the development of industrial technologies, agricultural and medicinal
procedures, and communication resources.
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References:https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/college-of-st-john-it-era/part- 8-
digital-technology-social-change/23547367.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digital-technology-social-change-invictus-star-
technology-
ae#:~:text=By%20utilizing%20digital%20platforms%2C%20people,environmen
https://www.google.com/search?q=IMPORTANCE+OF+ICT+FOR+SOCIAL+CHANGE&
tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiHuNjl-uKAAxWxpukKHWc2DtsQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=IMP
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/technological-institute-of-the-
philippines/science-technology-and-society/511-what-is-global-digital-
development/38804164
 MVGFC MANUEL V. GALLEGO FOUNDATION COLLEGES

Name: Date:

Year and Block: Score:

ACTIVITY 2
REFLECTION

Direction: Answer the Following questions

1. How can technology influence social change?

2. Describe the process of technological change. How technological evolution takes

place?
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Activity 3

Digital Age Primer

Direction: Students will research and create a multimedia presentation that explains the
fundamental concepts and key characteristics of the Digital Age, incorporating examples
and visuals to illustrate its impact on communication, information access, and societal
interactions.

Rubrics

CRITERIA POINTS SCORE

Content: Accurate, comprehensive, and insightful coverage of
digital age concepts. Demonstrates a deep understanding of 40
the topic.
Visuals: Visuals are engaging, well-designed, and enhance
20
understanding of the content.
Organization and Structure: The presentation has a clear
and logical structure. Points are well-organized and easy to
20
follow.

Delivery and Engagement: Confident, engaging, and

dynamic delivery. Maintains eye contact, speaks clearly, and 10
effectively engages the audience.
Use of Multimedia Elements: Skillful integration of
multimedia elements(images, videos, audio, that enhance the 10
presentation and support key points.

TOTAL 100