ROLE OF ICT IN TEACHING-LEARNING

Dr. Naresh R. Madhavi

Associate Professor and Head, Department of Economics Mahatma PhuleA.S.C.College, Panvel Dist-Raigad, Maharashtra Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The present age is called as ―Era ofInformation Technology‖. IT represents a significant factor in the rapidlychanging relationship between user and information. It is well recognizedthat Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has immenseplausible potential for the structural growth of a country. The newinformation and communication technologies of Internet and multimediahave revolutionized the field of education. Communication is the basic to allcommunication between teacher and student, between institution andgovernment and between peers.

1. Introduction

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become commonplace entitiesin all aspects of life. Across the past twenty years the use of ICT has fundamentallychanged the practices and procedures of nearly all forms of endeavour within businessand governance. within education, ICT has begun to have a presence but the impact hasnot been as extensive as in other fields. Education is a very socially oriented activity andquality education has traditionally been associated with strong teachers having highdegrees of personal contact with learners. The use of ICT in education lends itself tomore student-centered learning settings. With the world moving rapidly into digital mediaand information, the role of ICT in education is becoming more and more important.

Change has been happening at an uneven pace in any growth-oriented industry, and the education sector is no exception. Rapid growth in the field of education has made governance in academic sector a very complex task. The 21stcentury has witnessed tremendous advancements in technology which has led to far-reaching developments in the administrative system. Cost-effective technology combined with the flexibility in learning and administrative activities is essential to enhance efficiency. Computers can be used extensively for educational administrationInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) playsa vital role in supporting powerful, efficient management andadministration in education sector. It is specified thattechnology can be used right from student administration tovarious resource administration in an education institution (Christiana Maki 2008).

1.

At present majority of devices are based on Digital Technology. One such device is Computer. The Computer is an electronic device that has the capacity to store, retrieve & process both qualitative & quantitative information fast and accurately. The computers were never developed for improving quality of teaching – learning process. But researchers started using Computers for teaching purpose. It gave birth to Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI), Computer Managed Instruction (CMI), Computer Based Instruction (CBI), etc. People started developing CAI for teaching different subjects at School as well as Higher Education level. The developed CAIs were compared with the Lecture Method / Traditional Method and found that the developed CAIs were significantly superior to Lecture Method / Traditional Method in teaching different subjects

2.

Networking of computers gave birth to Information Technology (IT). UNESCO considered Information Technology as ―Scientific, technological and engineering disciplines and management techniques used in information handling and processing, their application, computers and their

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interaction with men and machines, and associated social, economical and cultural matters‖. OECD (1987) treated Information Technology as ―a term – used to cover technologies used in the collection, processing and transmission of information. It includes micro-electronic and info-electronic based technologies incorporated in many products and production processes and increasingly affecting the service sector. It covers inter alias computers, electronic office equipment, telecommunication, industrial robot and computer controlled machine, electronic components and software products.‖

3.

IT was limited only to the textual mode of transmission of information with ease and fast. But the information not only in textual form but in audio, video or any other media is also to be transmitted to the users. Thus, the ICT = IT + Other media. It has opened new avenues, like, Online learning, e- learning, Virtual University, e-coaching, e-education, e-journal, etc. Third Generation Mobiles are also part of ICT. Mobile is being used in imparting information fast and cost effective. It provides e- mail facility also. One can access it anywhere. It will be cost effective. The ICT brings more rich material in the classrooms and libraries for the teachers and students. It has provided opportunity for the learner to use maximum senses to get the information. It has broken the monotony and provided variety in the teaching – learning situation.

4. Use of ICT in Teaching and Learning

Teaching at Higher Education, mostly, concentrates on giving information which is not the sole objective of Teaching. Along with giving information, the other objectives are:

 developing understanding and application of the concepts

 developing expression power

 developing reasoning and thinking power

 development of judgment and decision making ability

 improving comprehension, speed and vocabulary

 developing self-concept and value clarification

 developing proper study habits

 developing tolerance and ambiguity, risk taking capacity, scientific temper, etc.

4.

The ICT brings more rich material in the classrooms and libraries for the teachers and students. It has provided opportunity for the learner to use maximum senses to get the information.Successful implementation of ICT to lead change is more about influencing and empowering teachers and supporting them in their engagement with students in learning rather than acquiring computer skills and obtaining software and equipment. Also proper controls and licensing should be ensured so that accountability, quality assurance, accreditation and consumer protection are taken care of. ICT enabled education will ultimately lead to the democratization of education.

5.

Ankney, B.R.: The use of Computer Aided Instruction with Educable Mentally Handicapped students. Implications for Administrative Decision making. Dissertation Abstract International, Vol. 49, No. 3, 1987.

Ashish Kumar and Arun Kumar (2005),‖IT based KM for Institutions of Higher Education A Need‖ , Paper published in A weekly Journal of Higher Education in India from Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi India Vol. 43, No. 30, July 25-31, 2005, pp. 4 – 9

Bhushan, A.: An Experimental Study of a Linear Program in Educational Statistics for B.Ed. Student-Teachers. Ph.D. (Edu.), Meerut University, 1973.

Benson, C.T.: Effect of Computer Instruction in Finite Mathematics on Students Achievement and Attitude. Dissertation Abstract International, Vol. 50, No. 9, 1989.

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A STUDY ON THE CHALLENGES FACED IN BRINGING ICT ENABLED