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Information Revolution
Original course & content comes from Washington State University Extension, Center to Bridge the Digital Divide.
ICT and the Growth of the Information Sector
Scope of Module1
This course is the first in the eLearning programme in ICT Policy and Regulation. It is imperative that students should understand the context of which telecommunications, and ICTs in general, function. Consequently, the scope within this part is basically to introduce students to rudimentary issues in ICT and acquaint them with theoretical paradigms in which ICTs are utilized. This part covers concepts such as the 'information revolution', the information society and a basic appraisal of the meaning and scope of ICTs. Telecommunications operate within these contexts, and it is imperative that students should be familiar with these issues. This part also provides an introduction to the nature and scope of the telecommunications sector, and pays particular attention to the factors that contribute to the growth and the 'revolution' taken place in this sector. The aim of this part of the module is to provide a theoretical grounding for the students before they encounter complex issues in telecommunications.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module,students should be able to:
Introduction
The starting point for our study of information and communication technology is to understand the concepts of information and information revolution. The information explosion, aided by computers, the mass media and the continuously evolving nature of telecommunication networks, has contributed to the varied conceptions of contemporary society. Increasingly, information has become the defining feature of the modern world, mainly due to:
While it is difficult to define information, for the purpose of this study, we will utilize Frank Webster's (1997: 27) two approaches to the concept of information. Webster (1997: 27) notes that information is meaningful; it has subject; it is intelligence or instruction about something or someone. This is a semantic approach to defining information. The second definition provides us with a more specific approach. Here, information denotes whatever can be coded for transmission through a channel that connects a source with a receiver, regardless of the semantic content.
Conceptualising the Information Revolution
Contemporary society has often been referred to as the 'Information age' or 'information society'. These terms are apt in this epoch, considering the massive explosion of information, which has been facilitated by the technological revolution in computer applications and telecommunication networks. The increasing development in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has revolutionised various socio-political and economic sectors, such as manufacturing, business, science and technology, schools and homes.
Critique of the Information Revolution
Invention of Printing
Conceptualising the information revolution in the context of an information explosion in contemporary societies might indicate that there are no such parallel developments, that the information revolution is unique and unparalleled. However, critics have argued that this is not the case.
Peter Drucker (1997) sees the current information revolution as the 'second information revolution'. Gutenberg's invention of the printing machine in 1444 sparked the first information revolution. Prior to the invention of printing, sources of written information were the manuscripts monopolized by noblemen. The invention of printing revolutionized the spread of information. Drucker (1997: 20) notes that "by 1465, the number of printed books was six to ten times as great as the number of manuscripts, it was that fast. By the end of the century, the handwritten manuscript was obsolete". The printing revolution gave people the incentive to read. People could afford texts, which previously only a great nobleman could afford. The critical book was the Bible, the first book to be printed. As Drucker (1997: 20) notes, prior to printing, "the illuminated manuscript of the Bible cost three years rents on a fair-sized estate. The reprinted Bible came along, costing a week's wages". The printing press was responsible for making information accessible to people.
Gutenberg's invention of the printing machine in 1444 sparked the first information revolution Read more about Gutenberg’s invention
Historical Perspective of the Information Revolution
Another argument against the information revolution is that information creation, usage and transmission are not peculiar to present day societies. Every society creates information to suit the needs of that particular epoch in human civilization. The history of civilization points to various levels and usages of information in everyday life. This argument points to the fact that the 'explosion' in information today is apt for present day society. Douglas Robertson (1990) distinguishes five broad categories of civilization that differ largely by the method they use to store, handle and transmit information:
The argument in this section is that Level 4 is commonly referred to as the information revolution age, due to the fact that it has the highest quantity of information created. However, the amount of information generated in this period suits the needs of contemporary individuals to actualize their social and economic activities, just as the amount of information in the previous levels fitted the needs of individuals in those societies.
ICT and the Growth of the Information Sector
The Evolution of Technology |
Scope of Module1
This course is the first in the eLearning programme in ICT Policy and Regulation. It is imperative that students should understand the context of which telecommunications, and ICTs in general, function. Consequently, the scope within this part is basically to introduce students to rudimentary issues in ICT and acquaint them with theoretical paradigms in which ICTs are utilized. This part covers concepts such as the 'information revolution', the information society and a basic appraisal of the meaning and scope of ICTs. Telecommunications operate within these contexts, and it is imperative that students should be familiar with these issues. This part also provides an introduction to the nature and scope of the telecommunications sector, and pays particular attention to the factors that contribute to the growth and the 'revolution' taken place in this sector. The aim of this part of the module is to provide a theoretical grounding for the students before they encounter complex issues in telecommunications.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module,students should be able to:
- Apply a conceptual framework to the functioning of telecommunications within the milieu of communication and information technologies
- Identify factors that contribute to the growth of the information sector
- Discuss the concept of the 'information society' and its implications
Information Revolution
Introduction
The starting point for our study of information and communication technology is to understand the concepts of information and information revolution. The information explosion, aided by computers, the mass media and the continuously evolving nature of telecommunication networks, has contributed to the varied conceptions of contemporary society. Increasingly, information has become the defining feature of the modern world, mainly due to:
- The use of information in socio-political and economic spheres. Global attention is now "devoted to the 'informatisation' of social life: we are entering an 'information age', a new 'mode of information' predominates and we have moved into a 'global information economy" (Webster, 1997: 1).
- The rapid developments of information technologies to create, analyze, store, communicate, and disseminate information. The focus here is on the computer, media and telecommunications technologies.
While it is difficult to define information, for the purpose of this study, we will utilize Frank Webster's (1997: 27) two approaches to the concept of information. Webster (1997: 27) notes that information is meaningful; it has subject; it is intelligence or instruction about something or someone. This is a semantic approach to defining information. The second definition provides us with a more specific approach. Here, information denotes whatever can be coded for transmission through a channel that connects a source with a receiver, regardless of the semantic content.
Conceptualising the Information Revolution
Contemporary society has often been referred to as the 'Information age' or 'information society'. These terms are apt in this epoch, considering the massive explosion of information, which has been facilitated by the technological revolution in computer applications and telecommunication networks. The increasing development in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has revolutionised various socio-political and economic sectors, such as manufacturing, business, science and technology, schools and homes.
Critique of the Information Revolution
Invention of Printing
Conceptualising the information revolution in the context of an information explosion in contemporary societies might indicate that there are no such parallel developments, that the information revolution is unique and unparalleled. However, critics have argued that this is not the case.
Peter Drucker (1997) sees the current information revolution as the 'second information revolution'. Gutenberg's invention of the printing machine in 1444 sparked the first information revolution. Prior to the invention of printing, sources of written information were the manuscripts monopolized by noblemen. The invention of printing revolutionized the spread of information. Drucker (1997: 20) notes that "by 1465, the number of printed books was six to ten times as great as the number of manuscripts, it was that fast. By the end of the century, the handwritten manuscript was obsolete". The printing revolution gave people the incentive to read. People could afford texts, which previously only a great nobleman could afford. The critical book was the Bible, the first book to be printed. As Drucker (1997: 20) notes, prior to printing, "the illuminated manuscript of the Bible cost three years rents on a fair-sized estate. The reprinted Bible came along, costing a week's wages". The printing press was responsible for making information accessible to people.
Gutenberg's invention of the printing machine in 1444 sparked the first information revolution Read more about Gutenberg’s invention
Historical Perspective of the Information Revolution
Another argument against the information revolution is that information creation, usage and transmission are not peculiar to present day societies. Every society creates information to suit the needs of that particular epoch in human civilization. The history of civilization points to various levels and usages of information in everyday life. This argument points to the fact that the 'explosion' in information today is apt for present day society. Douglas Robertson (1990) distinguishes five broad categories of civilization that differ largely by the method they use to store, handle and transmit information:
- Level 0 ---- Pre-language
- Level 1 ---- Language
- Level 2 ---- Writing
- Level 3 ---- Printing
- Level 4 ---- Computers
- Level 1 ---- Prehistoric
- Level 2 ---- Ancient
- Level 3 ---- Medieval
- Level 4 ---- Modern
The argument in this section is that Level 4 is commonly referred to as the information revolution age, due to the fact that it has the highest quantity of information created. However, the amount of information generated in this period suits the needs of contemporary individuals to actualize their social and economic activities, just as the amount of information in the previous levels fitted the needs of individuals in those societies.
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Latest page update: made by FDU_Soule
, Sep 16 2008, 4:42 PM EDT
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