ICT IN EDUCATION
Meaning of ICT
ICT stands for “Information and communication Technology. It means the technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications.
It can be defined as a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information. These technologies include the internet, computers, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums.
Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Education:
This is evident in the emergence of advanced internet technology over the past few years and the resulting changes in the ways that students construct with others. Student develop capability in using ICT for tasks associated with information access and management, information creation and presentation, problem solving, decision making, communication, creative expression, and empirical reasoning.
This includes conducting research, creating multimedia information products, analysing data, designing solution to problems, controlling processes and devices, and supporting computation while working independently and in collaboration with others.
Students develop knowledge, skills and dispositions around ICT and its use, and the ability to transfer these across environments and applications. They learn to use ICT with confidence, care and consideration, understanding its possibilities, limitations and impact on individuals, groups and communities.
Information and Communication Technology is often used as an extended synonym or as an umbrella term for Information Technology (IT), but it is a most specific term that stresses the role unified communications and the integration of telecommunications
The major roles of ICT in education are:
• Improving learner’s knowledge, comprehension, practical skills, presentation skills and innovative capabilities to a great extent.
• Improving the student learning through self-paced learning and by accessing them to wide range of up to date learning materials.
• Facilitating educational participant to acquire and absorb knowledge and increase academic productivity.
• Helping nations to enhance educational system beyond classrooms and reaching out to all sectors of society in common.
• ICT not only open opportunities for schools to ensure that students have access to curriculum materials whilst in the classroom but also allows them to ensure students outside the classroom.
• Students with special needs are no longer at a disadvantage as they have access to essential material and special ICT tools.
• ICT enhances subject learning and adds a lot of value to key learning areas like literacy and numeracy.
• ICT brings children together where they can talk and opens up avenues for communication thus leading to language development.
• Since children are fascinated with technology, it encourages and motivates them to learn in the classroom.
• ICT in education improves engagement and knowledge retention since when ICT is integrated into lessons, students become more engaged in their work.
Scope of ICT in Education
The scope of ICT in education are:
• Quick access to information
Easy availability of updated data: Sitting at home the desired information can be accessed easily.
• Connecting Geographically dispersed regions: With the advancement of ICT, education does not remain restricted within four walls of the educational institutions.
• Catering to the Individual differences: ICT can contribute in catering to individual needs of the students as per their capabilities and interest.
• Wider range of communication media: With the advent of ICT, different means of communication are being introduced in the teaching learning process.
• Wider learning opportunities for pupil : Application of latest ICT in education has provided many options to the learners to opt for the course of their choices.
