Developed societies have taken advantage of advances in ITCs by gaining broad access to modern digital networks and significant economic as well as social spin-offs for their communication and business sectors.
But their counterparts in developing countries including Zimbabwe are yet to achieve satisfactory levels of connectivity.
The proliferation of e-business has heralded the so-called "new information economy", with further positive ripple effects for information-intensive industries.
There is little doubt that Zimbabwe's under-served consumers are missing out on the benefits of ICTs.
As the country lags behind in the adoption, use and innovation in ICT, Zimbabweans are missing out on better education, well-paying ICT jobs and investment opportunities.
The networking revolution of ICTs has unrivalled potential to open up new digital opportunities for developing countries, particularly in the area of education.
The potential benefits from advances in ICTs could mean an acceleration of economic and social development and greater inclusion of isolated -- particularly rural populations, into the mainstream of society and economic activity.
Education experts argue that bringing ICTs into the learning environment, will create opportunities for broader education initiatives that will bring youth into the information era.
Mount Carmel Institute principal director Rufaro Gunduza said it was undeniable that globalisation and the rapid emergence of the digital information super-highway had drastically transformed the learning landscape the world over.
"Zimbabwe, for the past decade has been limping behind in this vast digital revolution," he said.
"It is an incontrovertible fact that this sad status quo cannot continue the way it is.
"The knowledge industry has witnessed a charming and magical face-lift in terms of the production, distribution and consumption of skills and knowledge products."
Old learning systems have been outpaced and outstripped by new and dynamic trends.
"The traditional concept of schooling inside the walls of brick and mortar has been superseded by the spectacle of schooling without walls," he said.
Conventional learning set-ups have been overtaken by digital environments and the face-to-face mode of tuition delivery is fast being replaced by online articulated learning and knowledge delivery methods.
"Zimbabwe needs to find its technological bearings, adapt and adopt what works best for it," Gunduza said.
Over the years, the world has witnessed a massive showdown between physical infrastructure (where governments have poured massive funding thus making it difficult to let go) and the ubiquitous multimedia learning formats and platforms which are fascinating.
Hard learning spaces have been eclipsed by soft learning spaces, tangible texts challenged by virtual texts, printouts contested by charming cyber resources.
Addressing delegates at a recent ICT conference, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who is one of the few robotics engineers in Africa, urged Zimbabwe to prioritise funding of the ICT sector.
He said technology had the potential to drive the country's economy.
Mutumbara urged the government to do more in making sure that the country develops its ICT sector to the levels of South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.
"Technology is an equaliser," he said.
"Being behind is an opportunity to leapfrog. The advantage with ICT is that we don't have legacy challenges.
"Poor people will understand the importance of banking on the cellphone compared to those in rich countries. Even if we are behind, we are going to move faster than rich countries."
University of Zimbabwe lecturer and computer technician Gary Brooking noted that e-learning for a developing economy will level the past imbalances and open up global learning opportunities that will allow us to effectively equip our graduates with skills to meet the 21st Century requirements.
"E-Learning too will never replace literacy or the spoken word, but it will drastically effect the way we can teach and probably more than any technology before, will and has already drastically effected the way we as humans interact and explore," Brooking said.
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Quelle/Source: Middle East North Africa Financial Network, 17.10.2011
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