The future of information systems-using social systems to create protocols for the virtual environment (systems analysis through social analysis)

Information is the medium for communication, power-play, politics, and the building block for knowledge systems. It is associated with social interaction, and can be mediated by technology use. The paper argues that the key to understanding the impact of future technologies lies in the interaction between the social and technical environment. It suggests that future technologies such as virtual reality make necessary a move away from traditional methods of systems analysis and design. The interactive nature of such technology requires a validation in the social environment. The paper proposes the creation of protocols (a set of universally applicable standards) for the virtual environment. It suggests that information systems are split into three protocols: physical, learning, and cultural protocols. Finally it illustrates that their influence over each other can be understood by applying structuration theor

Joining the Dots- Universities’ roles in integrating local, regional, national and international geographies

The inclusion of Universities and higher education in the recently adopted ‘Incheon Declaration for Education 2030’ signals recognition of the changing role of Universities in a global education, economic and social system. Universities are pivotal institutions within this complex global system for enabling sustainable development. As Anchor Institutions, institutions rooted in their local and regional geographies, Universities influence and enable economic growth, innovation, social inclusion and the development of place. This presents an evolutionary and transformative role for Universities in shaping economic and social development within local, regional, national and international geographies In this paper the role of Universities in ‘joining up the dots’ and as integrators of geographies in many distinctive ways: envisages a more fundamental role for Universities. This places Universities as equal partners with Governments, businesses and communities as designers and developers of future economies, societies and nations within a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable global world

'CLIMATE' for MULTIVIEW An add-on framework for use in the analysis and development of CMC based virtual environments

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN039641 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo