Information and Communication Technologies in Multinational and Multicultural Contexts

Information and communication technologies for multinational and multicultural contexts pertains to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and globalization, national policies regarding the use of ICT in educational settings, common trends and themes in its usage and impacts, and challenges that many countries and cultures face. This entry first discusses the growth of ICT around the world and policies that guide its use in schools. It then discusses the growth of online and distance learning and concerns regarding the digital divide.

In the last two decades or so, countries worldwide have witnessed tremendous investment in and rapid growth of information technology in both the society in general and schools in particular. The rapid advancement of and widespread use of ICT catalyzed the process of globalization, connecting most countries into interrelated and mutually affected members of a global village.

Today, although different nations vary a great deal in their economic development level, political systems, cultural traditions, and educational practices, some common themes and trends occur in their endeavors to reap the benefits of ICT advancement in improving teaching and learning. These include an emphasis on using ICT in educational settings at the policy level and the growth in the use of open educational sources. Different countries also share similar challenges such as concerns regarding both the quantity and the quality of technology use, and the persistent digital divide.

One common theme is the emphasis at the policy level on using ICT in educational settings. It is commonly accepted across nations that the rapid development of information technology is changing the world into a global village where economic competition among countries is more and more a competition of knowledge, and technology is viewed as a powerful tool in improving the country’s competitiveness in a global economy.