Social Implications of ICT HIGHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

WHAT WE WILL LEARN. In this section we will look at: Social Implications: Ease of access and Availability of ICT Information Rich Information Poor What is an Information System? Educational Qualifications & Need for ICT Awareness Knowledge Workers Online Retail and Shopping Habits Implications of Online shopping

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS Ease of access and Availability of ICT Information Systems can be accessed from:  Schools  Colleges  Work  Home  Internet Cafes  Hot Spots

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS Ease of access and Availability of ICT But is it so easy to access this information from all over the world? The answer is No – Many people in the world lack basic food and shelter so they have no way of accessing the information systems we take for granted.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS Information Rich The western world is known as Information Rich because we can access information easily and from many sources. We also have the skills to use it effectively. However, there are still some people in the Western world who are not classed as information rich because they are illiterate or do not have the ability to use the technologies.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS Information Poor Some of the developing world is classed as Information Poor because the people do not have the infrastructure, the education or the money to access an information system. However, there are still some people in the Western world who are classed as information poor because they are illiterate or do not have the ability to use the technologies. Governments try to tackle these problems by setting up literacy projects or introduce mobile phones to countries with a poor infrastructure.

Social Implications What is an Information System? Information Systems are:  Computers connected to a network  Access to the internet via mobile phone  Digital TV – news channels  Availability of books, newspapers, magazines

Social Implications Educational Qualifications & the Need for ICT Awareness There are many advantages to being ICT aware. It is part of a good education and you need it to obtain a good job. There are many qualifications available in ICT from ECDL/PC Passport to honours degrees and doctorates. You can study Computer Science, Information Technology Science or Multimedia and Games Technology at college and university.

Social Implications Knowledge Workers Are people who add value to information by processing it and creating new information. So web developers, or systems analysts or software developers take information and make it more valuable. E.g. a person might create a web page for a company that sells trainers, or create a new software program that analyses the stock market.

Social Implications Other Knowledge Workers Some other people are known as knowledge workers – these people are problem solvers or people who use their intellect rather than manual skills, or people who use knowledge and information to add to existing knowledge and information. Examples are: lawyers, doctors, teachers, scientists, forensic scientists.

Social Implications Online Retail and Shopping Habits E-Commerce has been growing over the past few years. At one time it was mostly companies like Amazon or Lastminute.com that were on-line. Now most companies have an online store as well as on the high street. Examples are River Island, Marks & Spencers, Schuh, Waterston's.

Social Implications Online Retail and Shopping Habits Advantages for the Customer:  Shop 24/7 anywhere in the world  Can be cheaper than stores because of lower overheads.  Sent direct to your door or computer – good for disabled people or people who live in remote areas.

Social Implications Online Retail and Shopping Habits Disadvantages for the Customer:  You cannot try before you buy  Waiting for delivery can be annoying it can take up to 28 days.  Fraud can mean phoney companies can take your payment but the goods never turn up.  Credit card fraud with personal details stored on a computer somewhere.

Social Implications Online Retail and Shopping Habits Advantages for the Retailer:  The high overheads needed for shops on the high street are done away with. An out-of-town warehouse is much cheaper.  Staff costs can be reduced and profits will increase.

Social Implications All of this means:  A computer is expensive so only better off people can afford to buy one and then get the benefits of cheaper goods & services on-line.  A lot of high street retailers have closed down because of on-line shopping taking their place.  There might be less choice for the people who cannot use e-commerce.  There is an increase in the number of lorries and vans on the roads.

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED. In this section have looked at: Social Implications: Ease of access and Availability of ICT Information Rich Information Poor What is an Information System? Educational Qualifications & Need for ICT Awareness Knowledge Workers Online Retail and Shopping Habits Implications of Online shopping