112 Midterms

Information

Facts

Data with meaning

Based on a particular circumstance

Communications

Exchange of information

Transfer of information

Done through a medium.

Technology

Practical application of science to

solve real-world problems.

Development of tools.

ICTs

Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information.

Why we want ICTS

1. Increase in production (growth in productivity)

2. Helps to increase efficiency (lesser time, transport)

3. Cuts costs (but you need to invest)

4. Security

The internet

A global network of computing devices communicating information.

Other reasons for want of ICTs

1. Data tracking

2. Accessibility and collaboration

3. Data safety and backups

4. Ease of access and convenience

Information Society

one in which information is used intensively as an aspect of economic, social, cultural and political life.”

Characteristics of information society

• an economic resource

• increased usage of information among the public

• presence of information sector/industry

Technological theory of Information Society

Innovations in information processing, storage, and transmission had profound impacts to the social world, brought by birth of telecommunications, the internet, and convergence

Economic theory of Information Society

Quantifiable aspect; identification of information industries

• Primary: quantifiable, has an ascribable market price (information machines, books, media)

• Secondary: R:D, personnel, gov info

Occupational theory of Information Society

• Sociological argument; decline of manufacturing work and rise of the white collar society; automation of work

• From handling of physical goods to information; rise of the service sector

Spatial theory of Information Society

• How informational networks affects how society works around time and space; argument for globalization and a wired society

• Enables economies to operate across boundaries and accounts for the global presence of ICT infrastructure

Cultural theory of Information Society

• Effects of increase in information in social circulation; more information and more influence based on your consumption

• Notion of hyper-reality and projection of image in the absence of first hand

• Creativity and sense of self-reference in terms of interpreting meanings

The dependency paradigm

a macro-level theoretical framework stating that global poverty and underdevelopment are caused by the exploitative integration of peripheral, developing nations into the global capitalist system.

Core-periphery approach

explains regional inequality and uneven development by dividing a system into a dominant, wealthy center (core) and dependent, resource-supplying outlying areas (periphery)

ICT4D

The application of any entity that processes or communicates digital data in order to deliver some part of the international development agenda in a developing country.

Role of ICTs in development

Closing the gap between nations, facilitating the flow information; production, effectiveness, and reduction of costs

Optimistic view

ICTs as a necessity and an opportunity to leapfrog to the development status of the west/global north

Pessimistic view

Increasing inequality and social divide; there are more pressing basic needs such as shelter, food, and healthcare

Pragmatic view

Can help development if used appropriately, where strategies should fit local context

ICT4D Framework