• Robert B. Kozma
• Digital Education Research Network (DERN)

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31 May 2011Every aspect of 21st century society is being transformed by information and communication technologies: the economy, the workplace, the home, commerce, government, the health sector . . . but what about education?

The economies of leading countries are now primarily based on the manufacture of information products (computers, books, televisions, software) and the delivery of information services (financial services, broadcast services, education)2. But even the manufacture of automobiles and appliances depends heavily on innovative uses of information and communication technologies (ICT).

In the contemporary workplace, people work in teams across the boundaries of time and space and use a variety of social, digital, and physical resources to solve complex problems and create new ideas, products, and services3. They use ICT to collaborate and share resources, ideas, and products with colleagues, customers, or a larger audience or market.

Everyday life for hundreds of millions of people has been transformed by a range of devices wirelessly connected to the Internet, as well as audio and video file sharing, social networks, and a variety of digital resources and services4. People—particularly the youth—use the Internet to connect with friends and colleagues, make online purchases, generate and use multimedia content, work at home, engage in leisure activities, and find information on topics from health, to jobs, news, and government services.