ICT and e-Learning: The Growing Knowledge Economy and How To Staff It

When discussing the term, ‘knowledge economy', it is worth discerning exactly what this phrase means and why it is worth understanding its importance today. Primarily, knowledge within a knowledge economy is a product that can be sold, which contrasts - somewhat confusingly - with a knowledge-based economy, in which knowledge is a tool.

In order to simplify this further, it is worth noting when the term was used first, i.e. by Peter Drucker in his book The Effective Executive in which he examines the differences between a manual worker (i.e. one who works with his/her hands and produces something tangible) and a knowledge worker (who works with his/her head and produces ideas, knowledge and information).

In the UK, an examination of the current knowledge economy with an estimation of how this will develop over the next 10 years has been undertaken by The Work Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to provide answers ‘for UK-plc and the public sector'. This year they published the first phase of their Knowledge Economy Programme (available here: theworkfoundation.com).

This highlighted the primary differences in the economy today in comparison to 1970, for example: today 50 percent of the workforce are employed in knowledge industries (such as education, high tech services, creative) compared to just 25 percent in 1970 - and today almost 90 percent of the workforce have a qualification compared to just 40 percent in 1970.

Subsequently this development of a knowledge economy has in part been stimulated by advancements in technology, communications and the internet which is set to have a continued affect particularly after the recession and the increasing number of fresh graduates. Of the future, one of the primary questions that The Work Foundation asks prior to its phase two Programme is: "What skills will be needed?"

This leads me to contemplate the importance of ICT-based courses and e-Learning in regards to staffing a growing knowledge economy. degree courses that naturally include the usage of Web 2.0 technologies such as social networks and blogs in addition to traditional synchronous face-to-face learning are no doubt the most logical ways to prepare individuals with the necessary skills for tomorrow's workplace. Additionally, promoting independent study, learning without walls, and open content is also the key to increased accessibility and educational equity which should lead to an ever-more cohesive global village.

Sarah Maple is writing about distance learning and Kaplan adult education.