Information and communications technology, society and education in the 21st Century

Abstract

Technology is perhaps the most significant of the factors which will drive the future. Mechanisation and automation will change the nature of work. Information and communications technology (ICT) will revolutionise the ways in which we gather, manipulate and communicate information in our work, leisure and education. This paper is divided into two sections. The first will summarise some of the main trends in ICT that are taking place and which seem likely to be maintained in the future. The second will outline the likely impact of these trends on societies, in particular their implications for the nature of work and leisure, human relationships and education.