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ICT is an acronym for Information and Communication Technology. As the name suggests, these are tools for information management, as well as for the production, storage and distribution of information. ICTs are made up of old and new tools. Old instruments include radio, television, telephone. New tools include computers, satellites, Internet and wireless technologies.
It exists in many forms such as audio, video, images and text. It deals with the latest technology and an arsenal of simple audio-visual media such as slides, radios, cassettes and films.
Today, information and communication technology is the only one, and therefore the category of technologies is further expanded to include computers and related products, e-mail, MMS and other forms of communication.
Importance of ICT in Education
Currently, we do not need to leave our home or even our room to see any form of ICT in our lives, be it computers, plasma TVs, or mobile phones. We all have them in some part of our life. In modern society, everyone as ICT consumers is fighting for one dream: the dream of living together.
This makes ICT a lifestyle choice for a large segment of the population. In addition, these lifestyle choices change the way we communicate, increase consumption, and change the way we interact and collect information.
ICTs have permeated and changed many aspects of our lives. The aspect of our life when we live in an environment is dominated by technology consumers (Semenov, 2005). No matter how we perceive their presence, it cannot be denied that it is an important part of our life and is here to stay.
Here are some reasons explaining why Information & Communication Technology is important in Education. Let’s have a look!
1# Easily Accessible
ICTs in education provides access to all types of learners. All students can learn from the provided material. Even students with special needs can get the most out of its use. ICTs also cover topics such as the digital divide and enable even the poor to have access to tools that meet their educational needs and improve learning.
2# Promotes Team Work
Information and communication technology encourages collaboration when children work as a team. It also improves communication skills when you discuss, talk and study together. All you need is a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer to know that it works. ICT tools open doors for language development by fostering communication.
3# Improves Participation & Knowledge Retention
By integrating ICTs into education and their tools, children become more involved and more involved in learning, all thanks to technologies that make learning fun, creative and playful, improving learning in many ways. Thus, students learn better, which leads to the preservation of knowledge.
4# Developing Higher-Order Thinking & Skills
ICTs develop higher-order thinking and reasoning skills. These skills enable assessment, planning, monitoring, control, reflection, etc. To use ICT, students must be able to discuss, test and evaluate the strategies and methods they use.
5# E-Learning
Information technology and its tools have led to the emergence of e-learning, through which teachers and students learn innovative methods in the educational process. Online learning has become popular amid the corona pandemic to ensure continued learning of your interests.
6# Facilitates Learning
Information and communication technologies encourage children to learn. Children learn best through technology. They are mesmerized by technological tools and interested in effective teaching in the classroom or at home.
7# Core Curriculum
According to the latest curriculum, ICTs play an important role in the education system, which is why many governments around the world have begun to use ICTs as an important part of education and training planning.
8# Growth of Knowledge Economy
We live in an economy that thirsts for the production and dissemination of complete information, ICTs penetrate at all levels, in sectors such as health, education, production, the environment or manufacturing, therefore their use is necessary everywhere, at all levels.
9# Brings Inclusiveness
The advantage of ICTs in education is that students in the classroom can learn from extra-curricular materials. Students with special needs are no longer at a disadvantage as they have access to materials. Basic and specific IT tools that can be used by students using IT for their own educational needs. However, it opens up new challenges related to the digital divide and provides access to ICT tools and resources for the less fortunate.
Educational Applications of ICT
- Flipped Classroom
Flipped Classroom includes many features such as lectures and computer practice on the go. It includes computer-controlled interactive learning activities for a better understanding of the topic. Students prefer learning events instead of attending conferences.
- Interactive Whiteboard
You can display, edit, drag, click, or copy the projected computer image through your interactive whiteboard or smart whiteboard. Users can record and save handwritten notes for future reference. It is used for whole class teaching, not student-centred. ICT can ensure high student engagement and commitment.
- One Device One Child
Using a laptop computer 1:1 per child may cause problems such as lower power consumption, an inexpensive operating system, and special network playback and programming features. These cost-cutting measures have yet to meet the demand for one laptop per child.
- E-Books
Thousands of digitized books can be stored in the e-book. Students find e-books useful for self-reading. Its features include light portability, long battery life, text responsiveness, and the ability to identify unknown text or words.
- Tablets
Tablet is a small personal touchscreen device that can be operated without a keyboard or mouse. It is one of the best online learning tools because you can download and use the learning software you need. Interactive learning apps promote higher-order thinking. and reasoning skills, as a result, students are better at demonstrating their understanding.
The Bottom Line
ICT plays an important role in education, helping teachers adapt tools and deliver and effectively disseminate knowledge to learners, realizing the principle of lifelong learning.
Information & communication technology in schools fosters an effective learning culture by sharing experiences and information with others. It helps in developing technological knowledge among students. These activities include collecting, processing, storing and distributing information.
