MEJORA LOS PROCESOS COGNITIVOS EN LOS DOCENTES DE LOS BANCES TÚCUME
RELACIÓNATE
4. Sal de ti mismo y del egocentrismo.
In the 21st century the world was introduced to a new era by the information technology. In the face of globalization no country can act alone. New knowledge is exploding every moment and disseminates world over. As such, it has become imperative that countries are paying attention to information technology in their development attempts. In this unit, the contribution of information technology to the economic and social development in Sri Lanka and problems faced will be discussed from a geographical perspective.
A Helping hand to comprehend the subject matter
- In the 21st century the information technology has directed world to a new path.
- Many technologically developed countries have realized their objectives efficiently and productively by utilizing information technology in their production, marketing and service sectors.
- It is important to know the current need as well as the associated problems in using the information technology in the socio-economic transformation of Sri Lanka
The impact of information technology in the socio-economic transformation of Sri Lanka could be summarized under following sectors:
The economic sector and information technology
Although there is a great potential to use information technology in agricultural development in Sri Lanka the present level of application is minimal.
- deriving knowledge through the internet for cultivation of various crops
- Exchange of knowledge between farmers, businessmen and service providers; e.g., market prices, research findings, new discoveries etc.
- derive weather and climate data relevant to agriculture
- Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) by various institutions both public and private related to agriculture for conservation and management of agricultural resources; in addition, in addition, the use of Global Positioning System (GPS), an important instrument in the information communication technology.
- Especially, the companies that produce fertilizer, pesticides and other agricultural inputs have extensively used information communication technology. Also, in the production of seeds, agricultural chemicals, disease- free crops and testing of seeds inside laboratories according to international standards, in the conservation of veterinary resources, production agricultural machinery and dissemination of agricultural information the information technology communication technology is used (in the case of Sri Lanka, the companies like Baur, Haleys and Browns are in the forefront)
The industrial sector in Sri Lanka relative to other sectors is in the forefront in the use of information communication technology.
- The state and private sectors in the production of agro-based industrial raw materials widely use information technology. Tire and Tube and Sugar production are examples.
- The apparel industry, a widely dispersed industry in Sri Lanka uses information communication technology at a larger scale to derive information on latest styles and fashions, modern technology and equipment, raw materials, new markets and pricing.
It is also indicated that the use of information communication technology in the industrial sector of Sri Lanka has been increasing.
In the service sector, too, a similar situation could be observed.
- Banks: in monetary transactions, money changing, cheque exchange, calculation of interest rates etc.
- Industries: in planning, production, quality control and packaging etc. - Printing: in planning and printing
- It has been possible to do planning and maintenance correctly in the service sector by using information communication.
- However, compared to other countries Sri Lanka has used information communication
technology for social transformation only limitedly.
- Many of the technologically developed countries in the present world have connected the field information with the technical components for the benefit of the service providers. - Now, it is not necessary to meet service providers and service recipients in person but
connecting themselves into computer networks the recipients could realize their requirements from any region or country at any time.
Following are some examples:
- Banking services: Money transactions
- Education: through the Internet it is possible to follow various study programs, sit examinations etc.
- Health: through telemedicine diagnosis and treatment have become possible
- Transport: the networking of air, sea and land transport systems can be done easily.
Politics and Information technology
- A policy framework has been formulated to implement the information technology within Sri Lanka. It is known as E-Sri Lanka. The main objective is to centralize the global knowledge in order to implement the national development programs successfully.
- In Sri Lanka, various public and private departments use information technology to prepare, implement and evaluate the administrative affairs.
- Information technology has been widely used in national security also. For example, the Global Positioning System has been utilized to prepare accurate maps of war areas and to derive information from those areas immediately.
- The politicians are utilizing information technology to publicize their election programs through the Internet. Information technology is being used by the political parties to make people aware of their programs, of other parties and of the political situation of the country.
Use of Information technology in cultural and social sectors
- It is the social and cultural sector that has been affected mostly by the information technology - The higher level of use of information technology in urban areas compared to rural areas has contributed their higher levels. Relative to rural areas the use of computer networks, mobile phones and other components in urban areas has increased.
- Religious activities, language, leisure and recreation, sports, aesthetic activities, architecture, astrology, clothing, food and beverages and social etiquettes have been subject to various changes due to information technology.
- Languages have been broadened, new words and usages have been added and various
software and websites containing encyclopedias, dictionaries and short messages have been made available.
- Television programs, computer games, movies and documentaries have been produced for leisure and recreation. These programs exert a tremendous effect on the social life.
- In the aesthetic field, a range of audio visual equipment has been produced and a progress can be observed in the field of performing arts, too.
- Software for study programs in the websites on clothing and fashions have been produced. A range of new equipment is being used in this field.
- The technologies used for making people aware of natural and other disasters and to
disseminate and make available the facilities to derive such information on them quickly have been developing steadily.
- Also, with the use of information communication technology the society has modernized in many ways. It has also been possible to obtain more benefits with least amount of time, labor and cost.
- At present, information communication technology is being widely used to build inter-personal connections and create a broader understanding among the people on cultural and social heritages.
- The television and the Internet have been responsible for making salient changes in the Sri Lankan social environment and they have directly contributed to the progress as well as deterioration of the society.
- The information communication technology has directly contributed to the deterioration of Sri Lankan cultural values and therefore in the application of ICT in the cultural sector special care has to be observed by all parties involved.
Teaching and Learning Activities
Activity - 1
Analyze comparatively under following headings how information communication technology has affected the social and economic transformation in Sri Lanka.
- Economic sector
- Political sector