The 21st Century and Information and Communication Technology

The concept of wealth prevailed in the last century has radically changed. The whole world rightly acknowledges that the wealth of the 21st century is knowledge. It means that neither agriculture, mineral resources and energy, nor industry and business are the sources of wealth as human beings are the only resources able to search for knowledge. This concept has reshaped the people's way of thinking throughout the world. They have been taking preparation to face the challenges of the 21st century.

We have already started realizing that the world of the 21st century is making its firm standing on a knowledge-based economy. In this century, two more important factors - globalization and internationalization have come into being, and ICT is the main driving force behind their acceleration. Now the geographical border of a country transcending own extends to all parts of the world as an effect of globalization. We can refer to Bangladesh as an example of making the point clear. Millions of Bangladeshis now live all over the world. The place where they live in is as if a small Bangladesh. So, in one sense, the border of Bangladesh has extended beyond the line. Moreover, they, in spite of being the natives of Bangladesh, are living as the citizens of different countries. Internationalism' is the unwritten law of the present world.

Once people had to depend on the blessings of nature for survival. However, inventing machines and tools, they have lessened this dependence. With the help of machines and technology, they have controlled the world economy after the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th Century. The nations, who participated in the industrial revolution, once ruled the world. A similar shift of power has been observed, as the knowledge-based economy has started dominating the world in the 21st Century.

We can realize that we should take adequate preparation for taking part in this revolution. The specific skills for survival are the ability to cooperate and communication with each other, awareness about the obligations of citizenry, acumen in solving problems, critical thinking, creativity and skill in ICT. In fact, skill in ICT has emerged as the most important technological skill. Everyone should have the basic computer literacy to survive in 21st century. Only then, one may have access to its amazing world. Unless students acquire the ICT skills, they may not generate new knowledge by collecting, analyzing, and evaluating information. In fact, without the skill, they can never face the challenge in the 21st Century and position themselves in the knowledge based society.

For years, knowledge has been acquired across the world in traditional methods. The innovation and development of ICT have brought about changes for the first time in the traditional methods. And we have become familiar with the terms like e-learning and Distance Learning. E-learning is the short version of electronic learning which basically means a teaching process by using CD-ROM, the Internet, personal network and TV channels, however, we should keep in mind that e-learning is not the alternative or substitute of conventional way of learning. For example, it is hard to demonstrate in class different scientific and natural phenomena, such as, solar eclipse, moon eclipse, and so on. A teacher may demonstrate these phenomena with images, videos, and graphs with the help of multi-media. The class can be interactive too.