UNIT 2: GLOBAL DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT, DIGITAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.Explain the role of ICT in social change.
2.Understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and imminent threats of the digital age.

OVERVIEW
Globalization or globalisation is the process of interaction and integration among people,
companies, and governments worldwide.
Globalization results in the expansion of international cultural, economic, and political activities.
Globalization has grown due to advances in transportation and communication technology.
With the increased global interactions comes the growth of international trade, ideas, and
culture.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Economic Globalization
Countries that trade with many others and have few trade barriers are economically globalized.
Many countries have created free trade agreements with each other.
Under free trade agreements, countries agree to remove trade barriers. For example, they may
stop charging tariffs, or taxes, on imports.
American software companies, such as Microsoft, rely on international trade to make large
profits. The economy of the country of Saudi Arabia is almost entirely dependent on oil exports.
Cultural Globalization
Cultural globalization refers to the transmission of ideas, meanings, and values around the
world in such a way as to extend and intensify social relations.
Religions were among the earliest cultural elements to globalize, being spread by force,
migration, evangelists, imperialists, and traders.
Clothing styles have also become more uniform as a result of globalization. National and
regional costumes have become rarer as globalization has increased.
There has also been an increasing exchange of foods across the globe.
McDonald's has more than 31,000 restaurants in 118 countries. And people all across the world
are eating more meat and sugary foods, like those sold in fast food restaurants.
Political Globalization
Cultural and economic globalization have caused countries to become more connected
politically.
They work together to open their borders to allow the movement of money and people needed
to keep economic globalization working.
Because people, money, and computerized information move so easily around the globe,
countries are increasingly working together to fight crime. The idea of maintaining international
law has also grown.
Other international issues include terrorism, drug trafficking, and immigration.
Causes of Globalization
1. COMMUNICATION
2. TRANSPORT
3. FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
4. GLOBAL BANKING
5. MNCS (Multinational Corporation)

Digital Divide
 - A difference in access to technology between nations, regions and based on demographic
factors such as income, race and age.

TYPES OF DIGITAL DIVIDE

1. Infrastructure 
- Basic facilities, structures, equipment, technologies and services that act as the foundation
for economic activity and quality of life.
2. Devices
- Access to computing devices such as computers, networking gear and mobile phones.
Low-end devices and aging hardware do not have access to the same services as modern
high-end devices. 
3. Education
- Access to computers in schools, the effective use of technology in classrooms and
teaching of basic technology skills to students.
4. Defensive computing
- When users take basic precautions to reduce information security risks.
5. Information security
- The practice of defending information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure,
disruption, modification or destruction.
6. Blocking
- Areas where internet services are blocked by telecom companies or government censors.
Information System Trends
21st century has been defined by application of and advancement in information
technology. Information technology has become an integral part of our daily life. According to
Information Technology Association of America, information technology is defined as “the study,
design, development, application, implementation, support or management of computer-based
information systems.”
Cloud Computing
One of the most talked about concept in information technology is the cloud computing.
Clouding computing is defined as utilization of computing services, i.e. software as well as
hardware as a service over a network. Typically, this network is the internet.
Some of the benefit of cloud computing is as follows:
 Cloud computing reduces IT infrastructure cost of the company.
 Cloud computing promotes the concept of virtualization, which enables server and
storage device to be utilized across organization.
 Cloud computing makes maintenance of software and hardware easier as installation is
not required on each end user’s computer.
Mobile Application
Mobile application or mobile app has become a success since its introduction. They are
designed to run on Smartphone, tablets and other mobile devices. They are available as a
download from various mobile operating systems like Apple, Blackberry, Nokia, etc.
User Interfaces
User interface has undergone a revolution since introduction of touch screen. The touch
screen capability has revolutionized way end users interact with application. Touch screen
enables the user to directly interact with what is displayed and also removes any intermediate
hand-held device like the mouse.
Touch screen capability is utilized in smart phones, tablet, information kiosks and other
information appliances.
Analytics
The field of analytics has grown many folds in recent years.
Analytics is a process which helps in discovering the informational patterns with data.
The field of analytics is a combination of statistics, computer programming and operations
research.
Current Trends in Information Technology
A. The Internet of Things (IoT)
B. Mobile web performance
C. Artificial intelligence
D. User interface
E. Mobile application
The Internet of Things (IoT)
Industry experts say that while the Internet of Things (IoT) had a false start particularly in
regard to the augmented technology, in 2018, we should expect to see it improve our ways of
doing things at home, work and even during leisure activities. This is why we expect to see it be
among the biggest IT trends of 2018. The IoT is usually driven by the industry and will succeed
the most if it focuses on getting solutions for some specified problems. The industry focuses on
firmware and software that is hardware centric and suits those who love creating solutions and
meets the demands of the engineering field.

Mobile web performance

A website that hasn’t been optimized for the mobile devices is now getting penalized by
the search engines. Nowadays, more users are expecting a better online performance from
mobile devices. This has resulted in a race for the improvement of the mobile performance. This
means that the 2018 web trends will include user-triggered animations, mobile-only
development, secured apps and pages and natural language processing. There will also be an
increased usage of white or negative spaces.

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is definitely among the biggest hits when it comes to IT trends
that has impacted creativity in the online space. AI can be manifested through different
algorithms for machine learning. This can be manifested not only in the amount of funding that
AI receives but also the wide range of applications where it is being incorporated.

User interface
The user interface is one area that has undergone massive revolution since the touch
screen was introduced. The capability of the touchscreen has revolutionized how the end users
are able to interact with the application. With the touchscreen capability, the way users are able
to interact with the application. Users are now able to interact freely with what is being displayed
without the need for an intermediate device such as a mouse.

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE

DIGITAL AGE
It is also called “Information Age”, “Computer Age” or “New Media Age”. Starting in the 1970’s
with the introduction of the personal computer with subsequent technology introduced providing
the ability to transfer information freely and quickly.

DIGITAL SOCIETY AND INFORMATION AGE

Digital technologies have permeated our everyday task and interactions in the 21st century.
They have changed the way we learn, work and socialize. This reliance on the use of
technology in the modern world has led too much consideration of the society regarding how we
engage and interact with each other and how we make use of these digital tools and
communication channels.
Information Society refers to societies in which the creation, dissemination, use and
manipulation of information has become significant to political, economic, social and cultural
endeavors.

THE ICT AND ITS ROLE IN THE SOCIAL CHANGE

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
It refers to technologies that provides access to information through telecommunications. It
offers us the possibility to acquire information and to connect with other people at a speed and
across distances unprecedented in history.

THE USE OF ICT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

ICT is also studies how modern communication technologies affect society. Indeed, ICT is
easily accessed and used everyday by users. With this idea, ICT gives a chance for people from
around the world to communicate; leading to success of various advocacies.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
 Refers to the utilization of information technology (IT) in order to engage in society,
politics, and government.
 K. Mossberger, et al. define digital citizens as “those who use the Internet regularly
and effectively”.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP PRINCIPLES
 Engage Positively
 Know your online world
 Choose consciously
Engage Positively
 Respect the rights of others to participate and have an opinion
 Ask before tagging other people or posting photos
 Report offensive or illegal content
 Stand up and speak out about cyberbullying – protect your friends
 Don’t respond to hurtful or nasty comments – block and report cyberbullying
 Speak to your parents or trusted adult about upsetting online experiences
 Report threats of violence to the police (collect the evidence to show them).
Know your online world
1. Learn how new skills will help you explore the online world
2. Recognize online risks and how to manage them
3. Look out for suspicious emails and scams
4. Use secure websites for financial and retail services
5. Keep passwords secret, strong and unique
6. Know how to report bullying behavior on social media sites.
Choose Consciously
 Choose privacy and security settings carefully and check them regularly
 Choose friends wisely online – not everybody online is who they claim to be, regularly
review your connections and remove people
 If you have made a mistake apologize and take down offensive material as soon as
possible
 Ask for permission before uploading pictures of your friends.
Global Digital Development
Digital development is a continuous project. It is the crucial factor for sustainability and future
viability. It is a part of a larger technological process, and is the change associated with the
application of digital technology in all aspects of human society.
Infrastructure- Tangible parts of digital technologies
Generic Services- Intangible parts of digital technologies. It is the software and applications
Capabilities, skills and culture- People that take technology in corporated to embrace the
digitalization.

The combination of technologies in order to put parts of information and communication process
in society into electronic network are:
 E-Government
 E-Business
 E-Health
 E-education
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
Technological change (TC) or technological development, is the overall process of invention,
innovation and diffusion of technology or processes. In essence, technological change covers
the invention of technologies (including processes) and their commercialization or release as
open source via research and development (producing emerging technologies), the continual
improvement of technologies (in which they often become less expensive), and the diffusion of
technologies throughout industry or society (which sometimes involves disruption and
convergence). In short, technological change is based on both better and more technology.
Invention
The creation of something new, or a "breakthrough" technology. This is often included in the
process of product development and relies on research. This can be demonstrated in the
invention of the spreadsheet software. Newly invented technologies are conventionally
patented.
Diffusion
Diffusion pertains to the spread of a technology through a society or industry.[6] The diffusion of
a technology theory generally follows an S-shaped curve as early versions of technology are
rather unsuccessful, followed by a period of successful innovation with high levels of adoption,
and finally a dropping off in adoption as a technology reaches its maximum potential in a
market. In the case of a personal computer, it has made way beyond homes and into business
settings, such as office workstations and server machines to host websites.
Innovation
Technological innovations comprise new products and processes and significant technological
changes of products and processes. An innovation has been implemented if it has been
introduced on the market (product innovation).

1970 to 1990 Technologies

Intel- In 1971, Intel released the first programmable microprocessor to the market, the Intel
4004. Three of its inventors, Stanley Mazor, Federico Faggin, and Ted Hoff, were awarded the
National Medal of Technology and Innovation by US President Barack Obama for working on
the 4004.
Email- Ray Tomlinson sent the first email in 1971 on the ARPANET. The message was merely
a test message he sent to himself, and he cannot recall the content of the message. He has
since been honored with numerous awards.

DVDs- The digital video disc (DVD) appeared in the mid to late 1990s. The superior picture and
sound of the DVD helped it quickly disrupt the existing VHS tape market.
World Wide Web- Although originally proposed in 1989, the web was first launched and used in
the early 1990s. Tim Berners-Lee (pictured), with help from Robert Cailliau, was able to connect
hypertext with the internet and create the foundation for what we know as the web today. Web
browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape Navigator helped popularize the web in the 1990s.

2000-2018 Technologies
The GPS (Global Positioning System)
A "constellation" of approximately 30 well-spaced satellites that orbit the Earth and make it
possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location.
USB Flash Drive
The floppy disk of this decade, the USB flash drive is the most compact, portable data storage
device used by PCs and Macs alike (and unlike many predecessors, no pre-formatting is
necessary).
Slingbox (2005)
This genius device gives viewers access to their cable television programming anywhere with a
computer and high-speed internet connection.
Facebook
Famously started in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, Facebook eventually rose to the top of the
heap of social networking sites in the 2000s
Camera phones
The introduction of the camera phone in 2000 was an innovation that changed the daily lives of
millions of people around the world. It allowed people to instantly take photos and videos, and
dealt a major blow to the digital camera industry.
Wikipedia
Launched in January 2001, Wikipedia played a major role in defining the concept and purpose
of user-generated content. There are now 200 versions of Wikipedia and millions of articles.
2019 technologies
Robot dexterity
Robots are teaching themselves to handle the physical world. For all the talk about machines
taking jobs, industrial robots are still clumsy and inflexible. A robot can repeatedly pick up a
component on an assembly line with amazing precision and without ever getting bored—but
move the object half an inch, or replace it with something slightly different, and the machine will
fumble ineptly or paw at thin air.
Predicting preemies
A simple blood test can predict if a pregnant woman is at risk of giving birth prematurely.
SOCIAL EVOLUTION
“Post-industrial society” (Bell, 1973)
The post-industrialized society is marked by an increased valuation of knowledge. This itself is
unsurprising, having been foreshadowed in Daniel Bell's presumption as to how economic
employment patterns will evolve in such societies. He asserts employment will grow faster in the
tertiary (and quaternary) sector relative to employment in the primary and secondary sector and
that the tertiary (and quaternary) sectors will take precedence in the economy. This will continue
to occur such that the“impact of the expert”will expand and power will be monopolized by
knowledge.

“Fifth Kondratiev” (Perez, 1983)

“Structural Change and Assimilation of New Technologies in The Economic and Social
Systems”
Through generating a set of hypotheses about the inter-relationship between diffusion of new
technologies and economic development, the author seeks to identify the causal mechanisms of
the depressions of the trough of the Kondratiev long waves. A model of the capitalist economy
and an analysis of its structural patterns and processes are proposed, and from an examination
of the techno-economic and socio-institutional characteristics of the fourth Kondratiev, some
institutional requirements for the next upswing are elaborated.
“Information Society” (Webster, 1995)
In Theories of the Information Society Frank Webster makes sense of the information explosion,
taking a sceptical look at what thinkers mean when they refer to the 'Information Society' and
critically examines the major post-war theories and approaches to informational development.
This third edition brings the book right up to date with both new theoretical work and, social and
technological changes (such as the rapid growth of the Internet and accelerated globalization),
reassessing the work of key theorists in light of these changes.
“Network Society” (Castells, 1996)
This first book in Castells' groundbreaking trilogy, with a substantial new preface, highlights the
economic and social dynamics of the information age and shows how the network society has
now fully risen on a global scale.
Groundbreaking volume on the impact of the age of information on all aspects of society.
Includes coverage of the influence of the internet and the net-economy. Describes the
accelerating pace of innovation and social transformation. Based on research in the USA, Asia,
Latin America, and Europe

SWOT ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL AGE

STRENGTH
 Communication speed
 Automation
 Information storage
 Accurate duplication
 GPS and mapping
WEAKNESSES
 Privacy concerns
 Plagiarism and copyright
 Anonymity and fake personas

OPPORTUNITIES
• Social connectivity
• Learning opportunities
THREATS
• Cyber security
• Social disconnect
• Crime and terrorism
• Identity theft
IMPACT OF THE DIGITAL AGE ON THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC
AND POLITICAL LIFE OF SOCIETY TODAY
1. Child Literacy - It stands to reason that children who
read and write more are better at reading and writing.
Social media has helped children become more
literate.

2. Knowledge was Power - Wikipedia and Google

have democratized information where anyone is
able to acquire the knowledge they may want. The
ability of computers to replicate information for
distribution and empowered people to share what
they know.

3. The Reinvention of Politics - Social networks may

encouraging younger people to get involved in politics. The social media is growing
influence in politics, and the growing interest in politics from users of social media.

4. Impact on Jobs and Income Distribution - Workers are being replaced by computers
that can do the job more effectively and faster.

5. Impact on Employment - Development of technology has a great impact in the

workplace with increased productivity, efficiency, performance and eliminating the risk
and human errors.
6. Impact on unemployment - Workers who are displaced by technological advances may
find it difficult to become re-employed

7. Impact on Social Life - The digital age as made communication easier and faster for
individual and firm of all countries but it is made harder for individual to have face to face
conversation
ASSESSMENT
A. IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING
1.______________is marked by an increased valuation of knowledge. This itself is unsurprising,
having been foreshadowed in Daniel Bell's presumption as to how economic employment
patterns will evolve in such societies.
2._____________ An areas where internet services are blocked by telecom companies or
government censors.
3.______________People that take technology in corporated to embrace the digitalization.
4.______________It stands to reason that children who read and write more are better at
reading and writing. Social media has helped children become more literate.
5.______________It is When users take basic precautions to reduce information security risks.
6.______________ Access to computing devices such as computers, networking gear and
mobile phones. Low-end devices and aging hardware do not have access to the same services
as modern high-end devices. 
7.______________ pertains to the spread of a technology through a society or industry.The
diffusion of a technology theory generally follows an S-shaped curve as early versions of
technology are rather unsuccessful, followed by a period of successful innovation with high
levels of adoption, and finally a dropping off in adoption as a technology reaches its maximum
potential in a market.
8.______________It is a continuous project. It is the crucial factor for sustainability and future
viability. It is a part of a larger technological process, and is the change associated with the
application of digital technology in all aspects of human society.
9.______________It appeared in the mid to late 1990s. The superior picture and sound of the
DVD helped it quickly disrupt the existing VHS tape market.
10._____________The Access to computers in schools, the effective use of technology in
classrooms and teaching of basic technology skills to students.
11._____________He sent the first email in 1971 on the ARPANET. The message was merely
a test message he sent to himself, and he cannot recall the content of the message. He has
since been honored with numerous awards.
12._____________Famously started in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, It eventually rose to the
top of the heap of social networking sites in the 2000s
13._____________ Intangible parts of digital technologies. It is the software and applications
14.______________Development of technology has a great impact in the workplace with
increased productivity, efficiency, performance and eliminating the risk and human errors.
15.______________ Workers are being replaced by computers that can do the job more
effectively and faster.
16._________________The digital age as made communication easier and faster for individual
and firm
17._________________ Workers who are displaced by technological advances may find it
difficult to become re-employed
18._________________ The practice of defending information from unauthorized access, use,
disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction.
19._________________ Tangible parts of digital technologies
20.__________________Basic facilities, structures, equipment, technologies and services that
act as the foundation for economic activity and quality of life.
21.__________________Technological innovations comprise new products and processes and
significant technological changes of products and processes. It has been implemented if it has
been introduced on the market (product innovation).
22.__________________ It released the first programmable microprocessor to the market.
Three of its inventors, Stanley Mazor, Federico Faggin, and Ted Hoff, were awarded the
National Medal of Technology and Innovation by US President Barack Obama for working on
the 4004.
23.__________________ The creation of something new, or a "breakthrough" technology. This
is often included in the process of product development and relies on research. This can be
demonstrated in the invention of the spreadsheet software.
24.__________________The Wikipedia and Google have democratized information where
anyone is able to acquire the knowledge they may want. The ability of computers to replicate
information for distribution and empowered people to share what they know.
25.___________________It played a major role in defining the concept and purpose of user-
generated content. There are now 200 versions of Wikipedia and millions of articles.
26.__________________ A simple blood test can predict if a pregnant woman is at risk of
giving birth prematurely.
27.__________________These are teaching themselves to handle the physical world. For all
the talk about machines taking jobs, industrial robots are still clumsy and inflexible. A robot can
repeatedly pick up a component on an assembly line with amazing precision and without ever
getting bored—but move the object half an inch, or replace it with something slightly different,
and the machine will fumble ineptly or paw at thin air.
28.___________________The floppy disk of this decade, It is the most compact, portable data
storage device used by PCs and Macs alike (and unlike many predecessors, no pre-formatting
is necessary).
29.__________________The introduction of the camera phone in 2000 was an innovation that
changed the daily lives of millions of people around the world. It allowed people to instantly take
photos and videos, and dealt a major blow to the digital camera industry.
30._________________ Social networks may encouraging younger people to get involved in
politics. The social media is growing influence in politics, and the growing interest in politics from
users of social media.

B. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING

1.What is Globalization? List down the types of it and define its meaning?
2.Enumerate the Digital Divide? What are are Types Of Digital Divide?
3. What is Information System Trends?
4. List down the Current Trends In Information Technology and define its mearning?
5. Give the difference between Digital Age and Digital Citizenship?
6. Define the The ICT and Its Role In The Social Change?
7. What is Digital Citizenship Principles?
8. Define Global Digital Development?
9. What is Technological Change?
10. What is the Impact of The Digital Age on the Social, Economic and Political Life of Society
Today?