Education in the Information Society by Torres - Article Example

Article Critique Sheet: Student Name ID Number Article # Article Title: Author: Source: Date Published or Accessed: Synopsis: In this article, Torres challenges the real deal in the discussion about Information Society and educational systems of various parts of the world (2006). She probes an insight of whether or not the term itself does or does not seem to bear meaning within itself. She adds that the meaning of term is attached to the rhetoric nature within the ‘Information society’. Information System prides itself in being the ideal society of the future, in which better forms, amount and quality information can be acquired within a shorter period than the current situation. Torres asserts that the IS has no meaning attached to their ideas in as much as they exist alongside other related terms that have no clear distinction from each other. This, she adds, to be poor theoretical, pedagogical and conceptual advancement (Torres, 2006). The scholar alleges that just like in the education sector, IS’s ideas of knowledge and information and to a higher intensity, learning, have been reduced to a modern aspect of communication and information technologies. These have apparently led to a focus on the more recent and technologically advanced means of communication such as internet and computer technologies that have consequently created new identities with added exclusions and inclusions there in, classified as those within and those excluded from the network. This means that only the individuals with sufficient know how and equipment can access information using these systems leaving out the more technologically challenged. This consequently creates a situation of deficiency in information and later on knowledge on this sub-section of technologically challenged individuals. This critique seeks to expose the various aspects on the knowledge societies and the United Arab Emirates in relation to its educational function. How does this article pertain to the UAE? This article tries to figure out the contribution of technology to education and more so in developed countries where it is largely used. In order to gain a more comprehensive approach to the application of IS and its adoption into various information institutions, it is important to come up with definitive explanations for the terms ‘Education’ and Information Society.’ The traditional definition for the education evokes a feeling of school or a formal learning institution that is attended by young people. Emphasis is now being insisted on the aspect of teaching rather than that of learning. Quantitative indication shows that little attention is paid to the learning part of it thus creating a platform for grading processes to be eliminated (Torres, 2006). Greater attention is given to the development of equipment, infrastructure and other aspects of industry that rely on technology and information as opposed to learning conditions and teaching as a process of passing on knowledge. This has led to a situation of where the point of view causing results on the processes rather than creating demand and supply of technology. The ‘school mentality’ has led to the limiting of the vision of the education field hence creating a rift across the social, economic, cultural and other broader contexts of the application of information and technology. By the end of 1980, UNICEF had implemented a term, ‘Third Channel’ that referred to all other instruments, communication, information and channels of social union that are available for the purpose of transmitting basic knowledge, passing information and educating society about social matters (Torres, 2006). Other organizations such as UNESCO, World Bank and UNDP expressed great hopes in the “Third Channel” in achieving the goals of basic education for all by the beginning of the year 2000. The failure to achieve this by the year 2000 led to the widening of the role of the third channel to not only education but also modern technology and ICT. With time, the core values advanced with the need to come up with new skills that were needed in the market and also to adapt to changes in the technologically advanced world. Technological revolution can be traced back to the announcement of the information age and the IS. This can be traced as having originated from developed countries and the US in particular. This improvement further extended to the developing countries that adopted technological systems in information, technology and industry that made development quicker and more efficient. The UAE is a developed country that is very advanced in technology and information systems. Technological revolution with vast advancements in globalization, improvements in political and economic power with less social protests has led to advanced use of technology and information that has greatly improved the socio-economic state of the UAE. Influenced by the increased life span and extended ICT from the 1990’s education, research systems and capacity training standards have improved in the UAE like in most developed countries hence the contemplation of the idea of the ‘School of the Future.’ This time and contest in addition to strong interest and conflict for economic gain has led to different views of the IS flourish (Torres, 2006). Access to ICT and the digital divide has made it possible to achieve a world that is connected to networks that make use of the IS as a human face that its members can relate to. This in return creates a forum for lifelong learning opportunities and the creation of a new social paradigm for the associates there in. this in return creates a platform of economic equality, justice and well being for all. These conditions have highly contributed the economic and social flourish of the UAE. Torres’ article well describes the condition in the UAE and also expounds on the factors that led to the prosperity of the adoption of the IS in addition to the similar conditions being experienced in the UAE as well as other developed territories (Torres, 20006). The Author’s Point of View Torres maintains that technology not only serves an educational function but also economic and social functions (2006). At the same time, she insists that there should be a clear distinction for the minor details that involve the subject. In essence, she insists that the terms age, society, communication, information, knowledge and learning which are loosely used interchangeably without clear distinction should be clearly explained with distinction in order to understand. She uses an example of the IALS, an international society for adult learning which speaks of the knowledge society. The good system of governance in addition to a good source of economic stability from oil has led to a good socio-economic condition within the territory from using new technology. This is because technology has helped in strengthening the capabilities of infrastructure, raw materials and technology in generating revenue and improving the lives of its people. She points out that the tem IS remains questionable. Between the two terms, ‘Information Age’ and IS, the most important aspect is the application of the ideologies there in, in an effort to improve individual and global socio-economic standards. This is because, in the long run, whether individuals understand the small aspects of semantics or not, political, social and economic policies associated with the process of improvement through information and technology is the most important aspect of the argument. In addition, different people are entitled to different views and opinions concerning different issues. Due to this, different people are bound to have different opinions on this issue. In my opinion, the UAE’s adoption of the IS has led to great socio-economic improvements that have improved the living standards of the people of the territory. Different people will tend to explain ideas differently in as much as the elements may be similar. It is therefore more important to put emphasis on the quality of beneficial elements in them than to focus on the lingual aspects. The author appreciates the fact that there is need to express dilemmas in social, ethical, pedagogical and conceptual order in the process of institutionalizing the IS and an added need to educate individuals on how it can best be applied to their benefit and that of the bigger community (Torres, 2006). Lessons from the Article Torres’ article has shed light on the importance of information and technology in an economy and also to individuals. Information and advancement in technology has the capability to offer quality information to individuals and businesses which will in return lead to discovery of business opportunities, create good links and communication channels between individuals, businesses, countries and different regions that will in return lead to economically, socially and culturally liberating interactions. The article has also shed light on the need to create universal literacy in order to develop the world at the same rate. UAE has developed at a fast rate due its open adoption of technological systems and it enjoys ensured quality systems of information diffusion and infrastructural services. As a result, developing countries could use the UAE as an example to gauge their development rates and at the same time, adopt similar processes to ensure they enjoy the good economic, social and cultural situations. In addition, technological adoption should be taken as a matter of a life-long lesson and also an added need to improve the technology to adopt with current times. Individuals and institutions should take up the responsibility to update their technological knowledge so that they do not get left behind and feel left out of the picture with the entire technological wave. As such, societies should take advantage of all the apparatus’ and technologies available to them so that they can be used to their advantage, both individually and to the society at large. Works cited Torres, Rosa-Maria. Education in the information society. Accessed on November 7, 2010 from .2006. Reference: Torres, R.-M. (2006). Education in the information society. Retrieved on 7Th Nov From: http://vecam.org/article642.html Read More