What is ICT?
It was not until later on in my teaching career that the term Information and Communication Technology (ICT) materialised before me and opened my eyes to what this meant in education. The term ICT simplified means any technology that has to do with information and communication.
Information can come in many forms such as sound, video, text, and images, so when you think of what technology it is available that produces these aspects of information and sometimes a combination of all these, we refer to such technology as mobile phones, digital cameras, video cameras for example.
Today information and communication technologies are the one thing and so the repertoire of technologies expands further to encompass computers and computer-related products, email, MMS, and other forms of communication.
Importance of ICT in Education
ICT plays the same role in our information and communication process and their outcomes, as played by other technologies in making our life comfortable and purposeful. ICT in education has tremendous potential to serve and help the people connected with the process and product of education in many ways.
1. ICT can bring the existing educational system in alignment with the knowledge-based, information-rich society by providing services of sophisticated tools, techniques and methods at its disposal.
2. Use of ICT can bring about a paradigm shift in traditional views and methods of teaching — learning process. Some of the changes are as follows:
a. It will help in transitioning from a broadcast model of learning to interactive learning. Thus making the students active and participate in the teaching — learning process.
b. Helps in the process of transitioning from teacher-centered instruction to learner-centered instruction. Students become self-reliant and self-directed in acquisition and application of knowledge and skills
c. Shifts emphasis from teaching to learning thereby creating a more interactive and engaging learning environment for both teachers and students.
d. Changes the role of teachers from a mere knowledge-transmitter to that of a learning-facilitator, knowledge guide or navigator and an active co-learner along with students.
e. Enables students to become more responsible about their learning as they seek out relevant information and knowledge through their own efforts, synthesize and share their knowledge with others. It makes them realize their educational potentials.
f. ICT helps students to think critically and creatively and to reflect on their own learning process. They even set their individual goals for growth and development of their potentials.
3. ICT prepares teachers to meet challenges of the teaching-learning task of modern age. It helps teachers in proper execution of their multi-dimensional responsibilities in various areas of education.
4. ICT can be beneficial not only to teachers for their own education and training but also to use it creatively for accelerating the educational growth of their students.
5. Schools or Students that have no access to computer devices like PCs, laptops, tablets or smartphones can especially utilize ICT in the form of Radiobroadcasts and Telecast. There are specific educational programs such as Gyanvani and Gyandarshan hosted by Akashvani and Doordarshan respectively to cater to the subjects of a school curriculum.
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