In this post we will be looking at the meaning of ICT, its advantages, Its Importance in education and how it can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of educational administration.
WHAT IS ICT?
ICT “Information and Communication Technologies “refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums. ICT is an umbrella term that includes all technologies for the communication of information. It encompasses: any medium to record information (whether paper, pen, magnetic disk/ tape, optical disks – CD/DVD, flash memory etc.); and also, technology for broadcasting information – radio, television, any technology for communicating through voice and sound or images- microphone, camera, loudspeaker, telephone to cellular phones and other communication mediums.
MEANING OF ICT IN EDUCATION.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is the mode of education that use information and communications technology to support, enhance, and optimize the delivery of information. Worldwide research has shown that ICT can lead to an improved student learning and better teaching methods.
ICTs empower teachers and learners, transforming teaching and learning processes from being highly teacher-dominated to student-centered, and this transformation increased the learning gains for students, creating and allowing for opportunities for learners. An increase in the use of ICT in education with integrating technology to the curriculum has a significant and positive impact on students’ achievements.
Students who are continuously exposed to technology through education has better ‘knowledge’, presentation skills, innovative capabilities, and are ready to take more efforts into learning as compared to their counterparts.
ADVANTAGES OF ICT (INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY) IN EDUCATION.
ICT in education can help the students to compete in the global economy by being part of a skilled workforce and facilitate social mobility by the following advantages:
- Enhancing learning experiences and providing new sets of skills.
- Reaching more students with Massive Open Online Courses.
- Facilitating the training of faculties.
- Minimizing costs and saving time associated with information delivery and automating regular day-to-day tasks.
- Improving the administration of institutions to enhance the quality and efficiency of service delivery.
- Paperless: Eliminate the usage of paper.
- Better teaching and learning methods.
- Enhanced data and information security.
- Easy student management.
IMPORTANCE OF ICT IN EDUCATION AND HOW IT CAN IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION.
ICT covers a wide range of process that is used to process, collect, store, retrieve, communicate, transmit, disseminate and operate all kind of information to elevate the effectiveness, efficiency of individuals and organizations. This technology includes facsimile machines, telephone, electronic mail, telecommunication system, teleconferencing, electronic bulletin boards, website or blog, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), social network, SMS and instant messaging, Online groups and forums etc. The importance and role of ICT and how it can be positively used to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of educational administration are as follows:
- ICT enables effective and efficient communication:
- ICT enables good communication system in a school for an overall effective administration.
- It enables school leaders to communicate rapidly-changing information to teachers, students, parents, and community members.
- ICT can be used for presentations and information processing with the help of power point and multimedia projectors teachers can engage in active participation.
- Internet based communication processes such as email, forums and social network can be considered as a fast way of disseminating messages and information to Students, teachers and School admin staff.
- ICT is used for Record Keeping and Document Processing:
- Technology has created a vast revolution in record keeping in school administration making it easier, accurate and efficient.
- web based applications can also be used for the purpose of retrieving information, tracking originality of the documents and records etc.
- For effective handling of data, quality of data and access to data.
- Improved quality of work and the reduction of workload.
- Document storage in computers saves a lot of space as physical files are replaced with electronic files.
- ICT for Decision Making and Planning:
- Schools can use ICT for the purpose of policy making
- It can interpret retrieved data in order to use the resulting information for decision making.
- It can use the information to develop, implement and evaluate school policy.
- It gives administrators and policy makers the data and expertise they need to work more efficiently.
- ICT provides the opportunity to transform teaching, learning, and management practices in schools.
- ICT allows students to monitor, manage their own learning and think critically.
- It helps them creatively solve simulated real-world problems and work collaboratively.
- It enables student to engage in ethical decision-making, and adopt a global perspective towards issues and ideas.
- It also provides students with expert teachers and learning resources.
Information communication technology (ICT) definitely plays a major role in supporting powerful, efficient management and administration in education sector. ICT makes dynamic changes in society. It is influencing all aspects of life. The influences are felt more and more at schools. Because ICT provides both students and teachers with more opportunities in adapting learning, teaching and managing the individual needs.