Editorial Overview

Abstract

The educational system components consist of sources of knowledge, a communication channel between sources and students, and student processing of the knowledge with or without human intervention. The Internet has introduced a low cost world-wide communication channel on which educators are working to take full advantage. But the Internet is also proving to be a vast source of relatively free knowledge. The consequence is a growing awareness that broad application of a learner centered model of education is rapidly becoming feasible. This educational model involves a major innovation and the United States elementary and secondary educational systems are highly resistant to innovation. Therefore, it is appropriate to review how other parts of the world are taking advantage of this opportunity. The Journal has been attracting numerous papers from the international community and the first article in this issue is from the Korea National University of Education and describes four international efforts to develop learner centered educational systems using available information and communications technology (ICT). Written by Anthony Pich and Bokyeong Kim, the article is entitled “Principles of ICT in Education and Implementation Strategies in Singapore, the Province of Alberta in Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.” The progress reported in these efforts illustrates the positive side of having educational systems strongly controlled by a central government agency. The discussion of the Korean effort, however, also shows the difficulties in implementing this educational innovation.