APPENDIX A
Technology Metatrends
TABLE A.1 Metatrend 1: Technologies for Building and Protecting Human Capital Impacts of disruptions caused by COVID-19 1. The pandemic is causing deep disruptions in daily routines and the social organization of family life, school, and work. Beyond the immediate health emergency, a strong negative impact is the side effect of lower economic growth, resulting in higher poverty rates and loss of life from malnutrition and other diseases. 2. As countries across the region maintain extended lockdowns, health systems and social assistance programs are strained to save lives and protect livelihoods. 3. With millions of children out of school, there is rising concern about long-term learning losses and permanent school dropouts, especially among girls. 4. COVID-19 lockdowns are resulting in a temporary halt in ongoing nutrition, welfare, and treatment programs, leaving many people without access to health care and causing a long-term increase in mortality. 5. Food security remains a source of concern over the medium term and is testing the resilience of supply chains.
Technology trends 1. Expansion and upgrading of mobile access. 2. In response to school closures, many education systems scaling up distance learning programs, using radios, television, and SMS (short message service) channels for instructions. Choice of education technology varies according to location, connectivity, and affordability. 3. Renewed focus on expansion of digital platforms for delivery of health and education services. The transition will be affected by requirements for system integration, development of new teaching content, questions about learning impact, and review of national testing standards. 4. In parallel, new offerings vying for user adoption, facilitated by digital micropayments for health, education, insurance, and welfare services. 5. Increasing differentiation among providers, with pioneers at the frontier offering personalized and immersive learning at a premium. Travel and visa restrictions causing a sharp reduction in study-abroad programs. 6. Rollout of training programs for teachers and health care professionals to help with the adoption and use of new technologies. Programs will also capture data, track performance, check eligibility, and verify attendance. (Table continues on next page)
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