EDUCATION IN TODAYS KNOWLEDGE CULTURE Where are we heading for? -A merchantilist approach. -A technocentrist perception. -A critical-political standpoint.

-An Apocaliptic perception. 1.-A merchantilist approach: It is the market that controls the evolution of technologies. The demand of ICTs is increasingly. Enterprises try to make the greatest profit. ICTs are channel where to sell. Everything has to be sold (products, news and also knowledge) through any media. 2.-A technocentrist perception: It is the capacity for technological development that determines the future of Society. Technologies are capable of creating a more advanced and perfect Society. 3.-The critical-political approach: Technologies should not be controlled by power groups, but by Society. Technologies must guarantee the right to freedom of expression in contrast to the attempts of control by governments (lack of censorship or information control, free circulation of data and information, pluralism of the media and press freedom). Anti-globalization Movements. 4.-An Apocaliptic perception: The massification of ICTs leads us to be subject to them (technological imperative). ICTs stand for the end of values and an illustrated model of Society. Adoption of a critical standpoint: Todays world population lives with dramatic cultural, economic, social and educational differences. False ideas: technology will be able to reduce every problem: unemployment, hunger, educational failure, conflict (determinism). Information Society:

-ICTs transform every aspect of life worldwide. -Most of the contents of present-day media culture come from USA. -ICTs create a greater standardization of culture. -Most of youths everyday perceptions are related with or transmitted through ICTs. Moreover, ICTs harbor many forms of danger (addiction, crimes and frauds, family problems). Adoption of a favourable standpoint: Many favour a technofile position. They defend ICTs tooth and nail, to the utmost. Obviously ICTs have undeniable advantages; among them the following stand out: -ICTs enable and facilitate a greater, faster and more comfortable access to information. -ICTs play a fundamental role in the configuration of our culture (radio, Internet, TVTDT, videoconsoles, etc.). -ICTs permit more varied ways of working, of enjoying oneself, of learning and also of establishing communication with other people. The educational potential of ICTs is very high, but people have to be trained for them to become an instrument for learning. Kranzbergs Laws: Melvin Kranzberg identifies six laws regarding the history of technology: 1.-Technology is neither good nor bad; not neutral either. 2.-Invention leads to necessity. 3.-Techonology comes in big or small packages, levels in which the same degree of complexity may entirely be maintained. 4.-Even though technology may be a primary element in many public matters, the nontechnical factors tend to precede in political decisions over technological development. 5.-All history is relevant, but the history of technology is the most relevant. 6.-Technology is a human activity, and therefore, so is the history of technology.