Knowledge Futures in ICT and Education Gordon J. Pace

Knowledge Futures in ICT and Education

Gordon J. Pace

Introduction and Disclaimer

By now, you’ve heard about the eForesee project from far too many lecturers – I will be presenting the

Foresight process adopted, and the results of the process, and will not

say anything about the project itself.

Overview of the Process

Tools Used: Stakeholder-mapping to include strategic

players, a range of experts and other stakeholders.

Local awareness-raising and training events. Questionnaires The creation of an Expert Panel responsible

for refining the inputs from the consultations. Identification and analysis of main drivers.

Overview of the Process

The Outcomes of the Process Identification of actions lines. Creation of independent Foresight initiatives. Creation of the Vision Document. A second round of consultations with the

strategic players. Implementation of the principal Action Lines.

Overview of the process

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

Stakeholder MappingStakeholder Pool

StrategicClients Experts

Consultations, Interviews,On-line fora,

Desk-based research

Mapping Alternative FuturesEvents and On-Line

Feasibility Analysis, SWOTs on Driver, Expert Panel Meetings and WGs

Exploring Scenarios Expert Panel Meetings Facilitated Workshop

• Possible• Feasible• Preferred

• Science & Tech• Economic & Political• Socio-cultural

RecommendationsAction Lines and ReportsEditoral Group Meetings

Dissemination,Consultation,

Implementation, Events, Interviews

STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel


STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6




Desk-based research









STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel

Building a List of Stakeholders

Stakeholders identified through: Participants from NSIT Individuals identified Respondents to call for interest in local media. Persons registering on eForesee website Participants in various awareness raising eventsAnd categorised by: Ability to provide useful input Ability to influence change Ability to increase validity of outcome


STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6




Desk-based research









STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel

Mapping of Stakeholders

Awareness-raising events Questionnaire-based surveys Co-nomination exercises Extensive use of various media, in particular

the eForesee website Stakeholder analysis

Foresight Training Workshop Rationale and Approach to Foresight

Using Foresight for National STI Policy-making (the Accession Challenge)

Different kinds of foresight (Technology vs. Social) Scoping foresight, the process of developing realistic objectives,

mission statement Linkage to STI Policy and key decision-makers

Foresight tools and transfer of hands-on experience Learning from Relevant Foresight Experiences in the EU

particularly those focused on small catch-up economies. Different approaches for adapting foresight tools. Making the Most of Foresight Outputs Designing a Foresight Exercise: From theory to practice


STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6




Desk-based research









STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel

Four Archetypal Scenarios

Business as usual (surprise-free, best guess)

Hard times (major challenges but not catastrophic collapse)

Onwards and upwards (successful mastery of current trends, do better)

Visionary/ paradigm shift (alternative directions).


STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6




Desk-based research









STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel

Contrasting Visions for Malta’s Future in 2020

Hard Times – Apocalypse Soon! or APOCALYPSO

Onward and Upward Scenario : A Forward-Looking Malta

Paradigm Shift Scenario: Go.Malta.Go (Global Malta/IT-friendly Malta)

HARD TIMESApocalyse Soon! or APOCALYPSO

‘Malta is sidelined - no active participation anywhere in the world. Not forming part of the global knowledge economy

Persistence of the current situation especially the fragmentation in industry, government, organisations

The baggage of a thousand years… We cannot share and network if we have never been taught to do

this. No teamwork at all levels We cannot blame youngsters if we do not teach them Limited space … Feel threatened No one is doing any sharing Brain drain Unutilised capacity of ICT investment and in education Lack of R&D

Onward and Upward Scenario : A Forward-Looking Malta

Malta is competitive, a leader in ICT with good quality of life, cares for the social and economic aspects and encourages the generation and fostering of ideas.

The relationship between academic and industrial spheres is strong Development of the sectors of research and innovation There is training at all levels and re-thinking of the educational system There is a social debate about value of technology and how to use it More maturity among social partners Rethinking of political transparency and political system The infrastructure is improved Cooperation develops between local companies and clusters develop The right funding arrangements are available.

Paradigm Shift Scenario: Go.Malta.Go Malta is a showcase to propagate ideas and experiments in education. Flexible (human resources) Small is beautiful Creativity Community spirit and collaboration Maximising on Malta’s entrepreneurial heritage Application of communication/ collaboration skills Higher levels of technological innovation Infrastructural upgrades Government as a facilitator – e-government and incentives for

investment but largely driven by commerce Reliant on private sector ICT catering for needs in business, communication and education Virtual – high bandwidth in place Cultural – languages, brokerage skills

The Vision: Go.Malta.GoMalta in 2010 – Living in a Knowledge Community

Highly-networked, knowledge-driven community where the knowledge residing in individuals and organizations, is mapped on an ongoing basis, and made available in real-time via the National Knowledge Platform to the community for discussion, analysis and learning. Organisational, sectoral and socio-cultural boundaries are thereby lowered, allowing for strong community dynamics in favour of fast track learning.

Highly innovative product niches created, with ideas and individuals produced through a national applied research center, and supported by a startup fund to enable the exploitation of emerging new ideas.

The Vision: Go.Malta.Go Malta in 2010 – Living in a Knowledge Community

Local knowledge strengths in cultural heritage, commerce, crafts, fisheries, education, lifelong learning, creativity, health, diplomacy, the Maltese diaspora, are fully but sustainably exploited using latest developments in science, technology and innovation.

The highly developed ICT and KM infrastructure, the excellent location and facilities for conferencing and research, as well as Malta’s small size make it an ideal testbed for a synergy of innovative eCommunity, eGovernance and eCommerce ventures.

The Vision: Go.Malta.Go Malta in 2010 – Living in a Knowledge Community

The ageing population in Europe allows Malta to exploit specialized niche markets in tourism catering for a range of concerns and interests including a secure environment, health, knowledge services especially for persons with special needs, lifelong learning, cultural heritage, required by the more well-off, mature tourist.


STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6




Desk-based research









STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel

Drivers within Maltese Context

Governance 25

Social/ Cultural 15

Education System (and research) 12

Industry/ Economic 9

Links to Europe and the Mediterranean Region 5

Human Resources 5

Technology 3

Infrastructure and Environment 3


STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6




Desk-based research









STEP 6

STEP 7

Expert

Panel

The Vision: A Summary

Exploitation of highly innovative product niches: Building a highly developed ICT infrastructure; Malta’s small size: a testbed for innovative

eAnything ICT creating a more secure, better-

networked community.

The Vision: Malta in 2010: Living in a Knowledge Community

Innovative R&D towards a more competitive ICT industry within a

highly-networked, knowledge-driven community.

MCAST

Diploma Courses

Pri/Sec ICT education Industry

University of Malta

University of Malta

Diploma Courses

Applied Research Centre


MCAST

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses



MCAST

Mobility Programme

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses



MCAST

Mobility Programme

Startup fund

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses



MCAST

Mobility Programme

Startup fund

RTDI Programme

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses


Pri/Sec ICT education

Innovative startups

MCAST

Development Industry

Multi-nationals

Mobility Programme

Startup fund

RTDI Programme

Legal, Regulatory

& Standards Network

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses



Innovative startups

MCAST


Multi-nationals

Mobility Programme

Startup fund

RTDI Programme

Legal, Regulatory

& Standards Network

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses



Innovative startups

MCAST


Multi-nationals

Mobility Programme

eCrime & Security forum

Startup fund

RTDI Programme

Legal, Regulatory

& Standards Network

More

research

oriented

education

University of Malta

Diploma Courses



Innovative startups

MCAST


Multi-nationals

Mobility Programme

eCareer and eEmployment Network

Startup fund

RTDI Programme

eCrime & Security forum

Other Action Lines

Instilling a Foresight culture: Schools, policy making …

Widening education: e-learning, e-centre for lifelong learning …

Social and community: Culture and ICT, FutureFest-Futurechild …

Conclusions

This was the first local Foresight experience It lacked a clear direction and premeditated

structure. We tried to emulate well-tried approaches which

worked well elsewhere, with limited success. The experience provided invaluable input to the

other Foresight exercises. The output is intended to be seen as a live

document, changing and adapting to new circumstances.

Conclusions (2)

Lack of relevant statistics and related resources is a major stumbling block for Technology Foresight in Malta.

The tools are useful, the process is invaluable, identifying and motivating the right actors is crucial.

Documents

Knowledge Futures in ICT and Education Gordon J. Pace