Digital Skills and Education Sector Development in a Changing ICT Environment: Some Aspects and Trends

Abstract

We live in a connected world characterized by the unprecedented transformative power of ICTs. They impact the way we live, the way we work, the way we play, the way we socialize, learn and are deeply transforming our society. Digital skills key to new employment and business opportunities. We are now in an era of digital transformation that is fundamentally changing our economies and societies and improving service delivery in many other sectors. The paper will start some definitions related to the Digital economy, digital skills and brief overview of the IR.04, Digital transformation, Strategic technology and ICT trends, and its impacts for education system development and digital skills. Paper will introduce and review research/study findings on digital skills and education development goals; challenges and trends related to the Digital economy & job/skills including labor market and skills by the international line organizations such as WEF, ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and researchers. Then, paper will cover digital skills pyramid, education development aspects and trends including digital skills requirement and education in the Digital Era for universities, students and teachers. Also will discuss, particularly ICT can impact student learning when teachers are digitally literate and understand how to integrate it into curriculum, skills disruption, core skills for the future. In conclusion the universities and
colleges need to radically re-examine their curricula towards producing graduates with skill-sets and frameworks for teacher professional development, policies to develop skills for the Digital economy.