The growth of Information and communication technology (ICT) has significantly increased the world’s capacity for creation of raw data and the speed at which it is produced. The advent of the internet delivered unheard of quantities of information to people. The evolution of the internet from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 offered individuals tools to connect with each other worldwide as well as become content users and producers. Innovation in digital technologies and mobile devices offers individuals a means to connect anywhere anytime where digital technologies are accessible. Tools of ICT have the potential to transform education, training, employment and access to life-sustaining resources for all members of society.
However, this capacity for individuals to produce and use data on a global scale does not necessarily result in knowledge creation. Contemporary media delivers seemingly endless amounts of information and yet, the information alone does not create knowledge. For knowledge creation to take place, reflection is required to create awareness, meaning and understanding. The improvement of human circumstances requires critical analysis of information to develop the knowledge that assists humankind. Absent reflection and critical thinking, information can actually become “non-knowledge”, that which is false or inaccurate The anticipated Semantic Web 3.0 and Ubiquitous Web 4.0 will move both information and knowledge creation forward in their capacities to use intelligence to digitally create meaning independent of user-driven ICT.
A knowledge based society is the one that lays maximum emphasis on knowledge. this is it, it creates, shares and uses the knowledge for the prosperity and well-being of it's people. Thus the Knowledge Based Society is a society where knowledge is the primary production resources instead of labor and capital. A knowledge society generates, processes, shares and makes available to all members of the society knowledge that may be used to improve the human condition. A knowledge society differs from an information society in that the former serves to transform information into resources that allow society to take effective action while the latter only creates and disseminates the raw data. The capacity to gather and analyze information has existed throughout human history. However, the idea of the present-day knowledge society is based on the vast increase in data creation and information dissemination that results from the innovation of information technologies. The UNESCO World Report addresses the definition, content and future of knowledge societies.
The emergence f IT has impacted human lives on a grand scale by influencing all spheres of humans life and all sectors of society. The IT society has resulted into many new concepts and terms, some of which we are discussing below.
Knowledge Based Society
A knowledge based society is the one that lays maximum emphasis on knowledge. this is it, it creates, shares and uses the knowledge for the prosperity and well-being of it's people. Thus the Knowledge Based Society is a society where knowledge is the primary production resources instead of labor and capital. A knowledge society generates, processes, shares and makes available to all members of the society knowledge that may be used to improve the human condition. A knowledge society differs from an information society in that the former serves to transform information into resources that allow society to take effective action while the latter only creates and disseminates the raw data. The capacity to gather and analyze information has existed throughout human history. However, the idea of the present-day knowledge society is based on the vast increase in data creation and information dissemination that results from the innovation of information technologies. The UNESCO World Report addresses the definition, content and future of knowledge societies.
Characteristics of a knowledge society are :
- Its members have attained a higher average standard of education in comparison to other societies.
- A growing proportion of its labor force are employed as knowledge-workers i.e, as researchers, scientists, information specialists, knowledge managers and etc.
- Its industry produces products with integrated artificial intelligence;
- It's organisations - private, government and civil societies - are transformed into intelligent, learning organizations.
- There is increased organized knowledge in the form of digitized expertise, stored in data banks, expert systems, organised plans and in other form of media.
- There are multiple centers of expertise and production of knowledge takes places from multiple forms of centers.
Infomania
Oxford dictionaries describe the Infomania as the compulsive desire to check or accumulate news and information, typically via mobile or computer. young people are finding it increasingly harder to switch off smart phones and internet access, and are suffering as a result.
The constant urge and need to check emails or social media could classify a person as infomaniac. The infomaniacs are mostly sleep-deprived and they have compromised diets resulting, into bad physical and mental health.
Digital Unity
Digital Unity or digital inclusion is the ability of individuals to access and use information and communication technologies. The access and use of information and communication technologies impacts individuals and the community as a whole. Digital Unity ensures that all stake-holders of the society get equal and fair share of technology use in their lives.
Digital Divides
The Digital Divides refers to the difference between people who have easy access to the internet ans those who do not. A lack of access is believed to be disadvantage to those on the disadvantaged side of the Digital Divide because of huge knowledge base that can only be found online.
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