Information And Communication Technologies In Education

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

"Microcomputers offer exciting approaches to teaching that were not even dreamed of twenty years ago, but the extent to which the educational potential of microcomputer technology will be realized remains to be seen. "Some teachers will use microcomputers to revolutionize their classrooms, perhaps you will be one of them" (Geisert & Futrell, 1995).

There is no doubt that applications of ICTs in education are necessary due to the fact that ICTs are the pre-eminent tools for information processing, new generations need to become competent in their use and for required necessary skills. It is also believed that ICTs should be fundamental management tools for teaching learning processes at all levels of an educational system. Therefore, teaching institutions should profoundly revise present teaching practices and resources to create more effective learning environments and improve life-long learning skills and habits in their students.

It is fact that ICTs can be applied to improve teaching learning process and its application in education in turn support sustainable economic development including social transformation. However, ICTs can be used to improve students understanding and learning, increase the quality of education, knowledge creation and knowledge sharing which can contribute to the transformation of the education system from stereotype teaching to modern ICTs integrated teaching methodologies (Kozma, 2005).

In Pakistan, introduction of technology in education within the framework of National Education Policy (1998-2010) resulted in increased computer labs but proper utilization of ICTs is still big question.

Thus it is necessary to study the use of Information and Communication Technologies by teacher educators and strengthening teacher education in Government Colleges of Education in order to better implementation of ICTs in teaching methodologies and integrate ICTs based training programs. The purpose of this study is to assess the current use on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), explore the relationship between teachers’ understanding of teaching methodologies and their understanding in use of ICTs in teaching learning process including strengthening ICTs integrated training for teacher educators.

Role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are as an electronic means of capturing, processing, storing and disseminating information (Adeya, 2002). According to another definition, ICTs are embedded in networks and services that affect the local and global accumulation and flows of public and private knowledge (Adeya, 2002). ICTs are defined diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. These technologies include computers, internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony. ICT is the broad subject concerned with all aspects of managing and processing information (Mayer, 2008).

At the end of the 1980s, Information Technology (IT) replaced the term computers signifying a shift of focus from computing technology to the capacity to store and retrieve information. This was followed by the introduction of the term ‘ICT’ (Information and Communication Technology) around 1992 (Pelgrum & Law, 2003).

United Nations report (1999) defines ICTs covering provision of internet service, telecommunication equipments and services, information technology equipments and services, media and broadcasting, libraries and documentation centers, commercial information providers, network-based information services, and other related information and communication activities.

While discussing difference between information technology and information and communication technology, Galloway, & Norton (2011) stated:

The term IT (Information technology) and ICT (information and communication technology) are often used interchangeably, although the later term is little known outside of education. Generally school think of IT as being the technology, the equipment and the infrastructure, and ICT as what we do with it, the subject and the way it is used to support learning. Sometimes the term is pluralized, ‘information and communication technologies’ as there are now number of different tools, devices, functions and possibilities that ICT covers- a range that continues to to grow and diversify. (p.22)

According to Sharma (2005), educational technology is used as systematic tool for the achievement of educational objectives. Use of Information and Communication technology is increasing day by day to achieve the educational objectives and various tools are used for enhancement of quality education. There is huge impact of ICTs on educational objectives. Integration of Information and communication technology provides innovative, modern, systematic and well organized procedures for instructional design and education which offers countless promising opportunities for teacher educators to achieve the objectives of education (Sharma, 2005). ICTs in education have changed the teaching and learning process. Integration of ICTs in education has reformed in teaching and learning process and changed teaching paradigm.

Plomp, Brummelhuis, & Pelgrum (1997) explain "ICT provides a means to bring about the revolutionary changes called for by the evolutionary transitions in society. As a tool to support the learning process, ICT holds a promise of new solutions for the challenges facing education" (p.429).

Johannessen (2009) point out that:

The role of ICT in education must also be linked to educational needs. In many countries, the role of ICT is linked to issues of educational attainment and the importance of ICT for advancing robust learning strategies on the side of the students. A second area is ICT as a tool for the support of personalization strategies in teaching and learning. (p.13)