From: Andrew.Probert@f20.n772.z3.fidonet.org (Andrew Probert)
Newsgroups: k12.ed.business
Subject: Overseas contacts     1/
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 93 01:28:24 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 3:772/20 - IBM NZ Ltd Gate, Auckland

Hello, Louis. I am really sorry about the delay. I depend on another
hfor my modem access, and this person went and lent out the modem to
another for a couple of weeks. I am now trying to buy the modem off him
or to buy my own.
You said

LC=8>You raise a very valid point on your message. As big organisations are
  =8>moving away from expensive mainframe operations of the 80's into cheaper
  =8>fully integrated networks it will be very interesting to see how the
  =8>future unfolds. I think the 90's will bring a whole stack of
  =8>opportunities as the "computer" age is relatively new. So far we have
  =8>seen the impact that the processing chip can have on the business world,
  =8>I am sure this is only the beginning for bigger things to come.
  =8>I agree with you when you say that "we are in for a radical change in
  =8>business structures in the years to come". Proof of this can be seen in
  =8>the introduction of the FAX in the exchange of documents via telephone.
  =8>The way I see it this emphasis on INFORMATION is causing the explosion.
  =8>At my Uni it is mandatory that upon the completion of a degree structure
  =8>the graduate is computer literate. They have achieved this by
  =8>integrating computers into the course structure. Knowledge of databases,
  =8>spreadsheets and basic programming have become the standard. The
  =8>problem, I find is that we have reached a stage where we are unable to
  =8>"keep up". We will see what the future holds, I have found that the use
  =8>of a modem has increased my understanding on how communications are
  =8>developing.

Yes I agree with you. I also agree that it is a serious concern that we
may not be able to keep up with the information flows.
However I have an inkling of where the solution may partially lie. I
think that we are going to have to find, train and develop people who
have the ability to look at widely disparate strands of information and
see the patterns underlying the information flows. That is we need
people who can 'synthesize' information in the true meaning iof the word
synthesize, which is reach or see the common thread underlying different
theses, which solves ior satisfies both theses.
Unfortunately,  our present day educational system is not geared to
train or even recognise people with this sort of ability. You see people
who exhibit this ability would have to be true lateral thinkers, people
whose natural thinking process is lateral. Our present day educational
system is geared aentirely towards vertical thinking. This is labled as
"clear", "concise", thinking, which it is desirable to achieve. Anybody
who exhibits anything likie lateral thinking is labled as a wooly
thinker, and will either be forced by the system to conform to the
vertical norm, or will be failed by the system.
This is a problem, since vertical thinking is useless at seeing patterns
which one does not expect to find, it requires that B and A be difined
'clearly' when one thinks from A to B.

I also agree with you that everybody should be educated in information
technology, and most especially those students entering the modern day
business world. You asked

LC=8>I would like to make an appeal to any business student reading this to
  =8>please contribute to the discussion, as I would be interested  to find
  =8>out what role computer, information and communications are playing in
  =8>our studies.

LC=8>Andrew, what steps are been taken by your Uni to overcome this
  =8>information influx into our courses??

Well, Louis, while courses in computer technology are available in my
commerce studies, the study of information technology is not integrated
into business studies at Auckland University as it probably should be. I
think that as a result many of my fellow students will be underprepared
fpor the new IT world of business that will await them. This is a
concern. I myself have made sure that I am up on what is going on in the
modern business world. For example as Chaos theory is becoming such an
integral part of finasncial, share market analysis, i have  been
teaching myself this sort of maths.  I also have friends in the
comput3er industry who keep me abrest of developments. For example have
you heard of a software package called PAGEKEEPER. This database package
is presently sweeping the US by storm since it integrates computer
document scanning, allowing whole libraries to be easily entered into
the database, and because it does away with Boolean logic, instead using
another system which makes it incredibly easy to locate and search for
information in the database. Law firms have in particular taken to this
package, truly bringing the law into the IT age. I am not sure if the
Oceanic or Uk version of PAGEKEEPER has yet been released.

You also said

LC=8>I have been personally at NZ Auckland a few times and find it
  =8>irresistible, I love NZ. Tell me more about your implemented GST and
  =8>your personal views according to your economic theory studies. As you
  =8>are aware in OZ elections are around the corner with GST being presented
  =8>by the liberal party as an option and I would be very interested to see
  =8>your thoughts on the matter.
>>> Continued to next message
___
 * SLMR 2.0 * Back Up My Hard Drive? I Can't Find The Reverse Switch!


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!772!20!Andrew.Probert
Internet: Andrew.Probert@f20.n772.z3.fidonet.org