Use of ICT in Education: Role and Importance of ICT

The role of ICT in education is wider. In this era of technology, the demand of ICT in education is increasing day by day. Today, all online educational platforms are based on ICT. Before we discuss the use of ICT in education and teaching learning process, we will first discuss what is ICT: Its meaning and what are the objectives of ICT?

What is ICT in education?

ICT stands for informational communication and technology. It is based on the management of information and communication. It manages the information by collecting, storing, processing, and distributing it.

Definition of ICT

According to UNESCO (2002), "ICT refers to forms of technologies that are used to create, store, share or transmit, exchange information.ICT includes radio, television, video, DVD, telephone (fixed line & mobile), satellite systems, computer and network hardware and software”.

Objectives of ICT in Education

Following are the objectives of ICT in education:

1. To make the teaching learning process easier.

2. To develop the skills in both students and teachers.

3. To enhance the thinking process of students.

4. To make the teaching learning process enjoyable.

5. To promote education at all levels.

6. To provide equal opportunities to all type of learners.

Use of ICT in Education | Role and Importance of ICT in Teaching-Learning Process

Following are the 10 uses of ICT in education:

1. Participation Between Teacher and Students

ICT increases participation between teacher and student. It helps the teachers to design various activities for students and thus improves the involvement of students in a classroom activities.

2. Make Teaching Learning Process Easier

ICT makes the teaching-learning process easier. With the help of this technology, students can access information from anywhere and anytime. Students can easily share their content with each other. Teachers can also create and share their content with the students and other teachers. ICT has made it possible for teachers to interact with the students in different ways.

3. Help Students In Making Notes

Students can prepare their notes easily by using the various resources available on the internet. Various softwares such as Microsoft word, Evernote etc help students to make their notes in the digital format. Students can easily manage and organise their notes by using these software programmes.

4. Develop Creative Skills

Students’ creative skills can be developed with the help of this technology. They can develop various programmes with the help of various ICT tools. In other words, it makes students innovative.

5. Improve Teaching Skills

Teachers can improve their teaching skills by using this technology. It helps the teachers to design workbooks, assignments, and e-books for students. Teachers can also prepare interactive presentations for students.

6. Helps In Evaluation and Assessment

ICT tools are useful for teachers in evaluating and assessing students’ performance. Various softwares help the teachers in keeping track of their students’ performance. So, with the help of these techniques, teachers can quickly share feedback to students and parents.

7. Up-To-Date Content

Students get access to new and up-to-date content and material through internet and various online educational resources. So ICT is useful for students in proving new information and broaden their knowledge.

8. Make Students More Engaged In Studies

ICT makes students more engaged in their studies. When a teacher presents the content of the subject with illustrations, flow charts and diagrams, the interest of students in that particular subject increases.

9. Increase Productivity Of Students

ICT helps to increase the productivity of students. They can finish their homework and assignments on time and can use the extra time for other activities.

10. Promote Mainstreaming

ICT promotes mainstreaming by providing equal opportunities to all the learners whether disabled or non-disabled in a classroom. Various ICT tools and techniques are used to teach disabled learners so that they can easily adjust in the classroom .

Conclusion: From the above discussion, we can say ICT has become a critical tool in the field of education. It is useful not only for students but also for teachers. It provides universal access to education i.e; makes education available to everyone. It is helpful for all types of students, especially disabled learners.