Synopsis
Education is seen as one of the key sectors that will benefit from developments in the digital economy, but so far the results of adaptation have been mixed. While new ICT gear has entered the classroom it is being used within the traditional classroom learning system. In order to fully utilise these new technologies a true industry transformation will need to take place.
Good examples can be seen in developing economies where there are little or no traditional systems in place. There, for example, children are using smartphone apps and the internet to bypass these traditional systems and are basically using the new technology for self-education. Schools are then adapting to these new circumstances. Freely available educational material from many school and university websites around the world is assisting this development.
It is most unlikely that the traditional education system will be able to cater for the massive requirements that lie ahead of society in relation to the rapid changes in skill and knowledge requirements. Digital adaptation will be needed to break through the old structures.
The use of IT and telecommunications technology within educational environments is set to further increase dramatically over the coming years as high-speed fibre-based broadband becomes widely available in Australia. Simultaneously, the capability of internet services dedicated to e-education purposes is set to increase enormously over the next decade as well. Australia, with its large landmass and relatively small population, is an ideal market for remote education services, and as such Australia is home to many successful e-education service providers, as well as being a relatively important export market for e-education services.
The Australian Government already provides Australians with sophisticated e-government services and, as with education, the establishment of a fibre-based broadband network may see the government improve and broaden the range of web services that it is responsible for. Australia, therefore, is a fascinating and relatively advanced market for both e-education and e-government services.
This report discusses related telecommunications infrastructure developments as well as trends and innovation related to e-education and e-government services. In the report we provide information and analysis, an overview of survey results, with some statistics throughout the text in tabular, easy-to-read chart formats.
Key developments:
National Broadband Network (NBN), e-education, e-learning, trans-sector, data usage, digital revolution, eBooks, iPads, iBooks, virtual classroom.
Companied covered in this report include:
Telstra, Cisco, TAFE, UNE, Australian Government
