Technology change in work and education
Over the past decades there have been many profound technological, social and economic transformations. The diffusion of technological innovation and other developments in different sectors such as telecommunication, automobiles, and electricity has led to mass production and consumption of product and services (Vermaas, 2011). Similarly, the education systems have evolved through the use of technology over the past decades. This paper is going to focus on the study of technology change, as well as, the impact of technology in the higher education system of the 21st century.
In the 21st century, universities and colleges have been greatly affected by the change of technology drivers such as the telecommunication, computers and the networks (Brand, 2005). These plat forms of technology have changed the academic research actives and has eliminated the constraints of time and space. For instant, most higher learning institutions are using computer networks to deliver educational services such as e-learning to their students at any time. E-learning has enabled students to join any university around the world and learn, without having to travel. Similarly, there have been rapid changes of the institutional library services. Most of the printed materials such as books have been converted into media plat from such as the graphics, sound and virtual reality simulation. Thus this digitized information is readily available and can be accessed worldwide at any time by the learners.
Today the education system in higher institution has moved from just-in-case to just-in-time. The just-in-case education system was to allow the undergraduate students to complete professional or degree program levels before they needed the knowledge but, in the case of just-in-time system allows the person to have the education through non-degree programs when they need it. In fact, with the current changing trends in technology, the education system in the higher institutions is moving towards the just-for-you (Brand, 2005). This is where the education programs are designed by the institutions according to specific learning requirements of particular students. Therefore, it is evident that the impact of technology has changed the higher education institution system delivery to meet the current dynamics needs of the society.
The theory of technological momentum is all about the relationship between society and technology change over time. Technology and society can interact in two models: In the first model, technology determinism argues that, the society itself is modified by the use of new technology in an irreparable and irreversible way (Vermaas, 2011). On the other hand, the second model, the social determinism argues that, the society controls the way technology is developed and used. Nevertheless, various technological advancements have different effects on the society.
The innovation of automobile technology such as in the sector of locomotive, the use of cars has changed the lifestyle of the society. People are able to move faster from one point to another through the use of the cars (Brand, 2005). In addition, the innovation of cars has also, led to development of roads, gas stations and the issue of insurance become necessary to insure the car risks. Therefore, the technology momentum keeps on shaping the lifestyle of the society.
The innovation in radio technology had changed the communication in the society. The innovation of radios has led to the development of other related devices such as telephones, computers, and networks, which is seen in the way the society is sharing the information in the telecommunication industry today (Vermaas, 2011).
In conclusion, the concept of technology momentum gives the complex, time-dependent and flexible persuasive explaining the change of technology. Likewise, the impact of technology had made the lifestyle of the society easier. It has also made it easy for people to interact, and understand the world they live in more than before the evolution of technology.
References
Vermaas, P. E. (2011). A philosophy of technology: From technical artefacts to sociotechnical systems. San Rafael, Calif.: Morgan & Claypool Publishers.
Brand, R. (2005). Synchronizing science and technology with human behaviour. London: Earthscan.
