Role of Information andCommunicationTechnology in Education

This paper is a mere attempt to present a glimpse of meaning of ICT, its importance and its mandatory need for education, which is indispensable. ICT stands for INFORMATION and COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY . These technologies include: computers, the Internet, Broadcasting technologies (radio and television), Telephony. One of the many challenges facing developing countries today is that of preparing their societies and governments for globalization and the information and communication revolution. Policy-makers, educationists, non-governmental organizations, academics and ordinary citizens are increasingly concerned with the need to make their societies competitive in the emergent information economy. Globalization and innovations in technology have led to an increased use of ICTs in all sectors - and education is no exception. Uses of ICTs in education are widespread and are continually growing worldwide. It is generally believed that ICTs can empower teachers and learners, making significant contributions to learning and achievement. Of the teachers interviewed on the effectiveness of ICT in education majority of them felt that introduction and use of ICT adequately will be extremely effective in children learning and achievement. However, current research on the impacts of ICTs on student achievement yields few conclusive statements, pros or con, about the use of ICTs in education. Studies have shown that even in the most advanced schools in industrialized countries, ICTs are generally not considered central to the teaching and learning process. However, there appears to be a mismatch between methods used to measure effects and the type of learning promoted. Standardized testing, for example, tends to measure the results of traditional teaching practices, rather than new knowledge and skills related to the use of ICTs. It is clear that more research needs to be conducted to understand the complex links between ICTs, learning, and achievement. Again, on the question of impact of audio visuals, research shows that surprisingly little documentation is available on the use and impact of video in education, barring one or two video projects like UNICEF‟s animation series, Meena‟, which has become a key weapon in the battle against gender and social inequity in South Asia. Many teachers are reluctant to use ICTs, especially computers and the internet. Some of the reasons for this reluctance include poor software design, skepticism about the effectiveness of computers in improving learning outcomes, lack of administrative support, increased time and effort needed to learn the technology and how to use it for teaching, and the fear of losing their authority in the classroom as it becomes more learner-centered. In terms of using internet and other ICT as a resource for lesson preparation, most of the teachers interviewed, admitted to never or rarely using it, while very few used the internet to gather information sporadically or regularly.