ICT4E: The Backstory | Dr. Alexander G. Flor

Summary

The speaker delves into the origins and evolution of ICT for Education (ICT 4e), tracing its roots to the concept of the information society introduced by Austrian economists in the 1930s. Highlighting the significance of knowledge and technology in economic growth, the discourse shifts to the modern context, emphasizing the role of ICT in shaping economies and societies. The talk discusses the transformation of the Philippines from an agricultural to an information society, influenced by the classification of overseas Filipino workers. It explores the impact of information and communication on economic markets, the rise of open educational resources, and the emergence of mega universities. The speaker concludes by reflecting on the challenges and potential of ICT in education, urging the sector to harness technology for lifelong learning and sustainable development.

Takeaways

• 📚 ICT 4e stands for Information Communications Technology for Education, which is a branch of the larger discourse on the information society.
• 🌐 The concept of the information society has roots in the 1930s, with Austrian economists like Friedrich Hayek and Fritz Machlup contributing to the early development of knowledge economics.
• 🚀 The transformation of Germany into a major economy was attributed to Science and Technology, highlighting the importance of knowledge and information in economic growth.
• 🌟 The term 'information society' was popularized by Fritz Machlup, who also introduced the trichotomy of agricultural, industrial, and information societies.
• 🌍 The Philippines was reclassified from an agricultural to an information society due to the classification of overseas Filipino workers as information or service workers.
• 📈 The volatility index graph illustrates the impact of information and communication on economic markets, showing how media coverage can influence stock market behavior.
• 📉 A real-time example of information's impact on the economy was observed during a Senate hearing in the Philippines, where the stock exchange index fluctuated with the testimony and questioning.
• 💡 The foundation of the information society discourse is the idea that information is a commodity with value and should be incorporated into economic equations.
• 🔓 The open access movement and Creative Commons promote the concept of freely accessible knowledge, contrasting with the idea of information as a commodity.
• 🏛 The UK Open University's success demonstrates the potential of open and distance learning institutions, which are part of the trend towards mega-universities with large enrolled student populations.
• 🔑 ICT for education (ICT 4e) is seen as a key component in meeting the challenges of scale and quality in education, as emphasized by the Paris message and the sustainable development goals for 2015 to 2030.

Q & A

What does ICT 4e stand for and what is its significance?

ICT 4e stands for Information Communications Technology for Education. It signifies the application of ICT in the educational sector to enhance teaching, learning, and management processes.

What is the origin of the concept of the information society?

The concept of the information society traces its roots back to the 1930s, with Austrian economists like Friedrich Hayek, who introduced knowledge economics, and Fritz Machlup, who introduced the trichotomy of agricultural, industrial, and information societies.

How did Germany recover economically after World War II?

According to Friedrich Hayek, Germany's economic recovery was attributed to Science and Technology, and the knowledge that was gained, rather than economic policies or the actions of political figures like Hitler.

What is the significance of the volatility index graph mentioned in the script?

The volatility index graph shows periods of high market volatility, indicating a loss of trust in the stock market leading to people selling their stocks. It illustrates the influence of information and communication on economic behavior.

What is the impact of media coverage on the stock market as illustrated by the 2016 Senate hearing example?

Media coverage can significantly impact the stock market. During the 2016 Senate hearing, the Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped drastically as the media covered the testimonies, showing how information dissemination can dictate stock values.

What is the Paris message and its relevance to ICT in education?

The Paris message, delivered in 2015, calls on governments to recognize the contribution of online, open, and flexible systems in addressing the challenges of scale and quality in higher education and lifelong learning from 2015 to 2030.

What is the role of open educational resources in the information society?

Open educational resources are part of the open access movement within the information society, advocating for the free and accessible dissemination of knowledge and information to all users.

What is the concept of a mega university and how does it relate to ICT for education?

A mega university is an institution with a minimum of 100,000 actively enrolled students. The concept is related to ICT for education as it represents the trend towards large-scale online learning platforms that can accommodate a vast number of students, leveraging ICT to deliver education.

What were the structural issues identified in the Philippine education system regarding ICT integration?

Structural issues included a lack of organizational readiness, stymied information and communication flows, excessive channels and paperwork, and a culture possibly averse to knowledge sharing and reuse.

What policy instruments were proposed to improve ICT integration in the Philippine education system?

Proposed policy instruments included defining the coverage of ICT to include traditional media, establishing an appropriate use policy, and promoting donor coordination, harmonization, and public-private sector partnerships.

What is the significance of the quote by T.S. Eliot in the context of the script?

The quote by T.S. Eliot reflects on the paradox of gaining knowledge through technology and information, yet potentially losing wisdom and deeper understanding. It serves as a reminder to balance technological advancements with the pursuit of wisdom in the educational sector.