Role of ICT in Education: Learning at the Speed of Light in 2024, Thanks to ICT

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The exponential growth of the internet in the last decade has significantly expanded the role of ICT in education. Inadvertently, most of the credit goes to the novel coronavirus, which added fuel to the fire as big multinational IT giants jumped in to help educate students through their innovative Information and Communication Technology applications.

It will be interesting to know how ICT has become a central part of the teaching and learning process in the modern world. However, the role of ICT in education can be understood by its effectiveness in indulging students with the most vibrant, colorful, and somewhat addictive and creative multimedia components based on the school curriculum. This curriculum integrates ICT into the teaching and learning process and provides children with opportunities to use modern technology to enhance their learning in all subjects.

In teaching and learning, we use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in three manners:

• Role of ICT in education as an object.
• Role of ICT in education as an aspect of discipline or profession.
• Role of ICT in education as a medium for teaching and learning.

Today Technology and Education goes hand in hand. It has become part and parcel of our daily lives. No doubt, It has drastically altered our daily routine and has the power to leave an evergreen fingerprint on our minds forever. Overall, it’s a great boon for society. Isn’t it?

Keeping in mind the role of ICT in education, UNESCO has developed:

• “ICT Competency Framework for Teachers Harnessing OER project” which supports the contextualization of the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT CFT) using teacher training resources developed through an open educational resources (OER).
• “UNESCO Training Guide on ICT Multimedia Integration for Technology and Learning” to help educators and trainers teach training workshops on applying these resources so that teachers can use ICT in their classes easily and effectively.

So we can say that the role of ICT in education has parted imaginary boundaries and brought education to the door of the underprivileged. Now let’s move a little further and understand more about the role of ICT in education and other related facts.

What is the Role of ICT in Education

You would have figured it out. Still, ICT is an acronym for information and communication technology. It combines all the latest gizmos based on the internet such as Digital presentations, Videos, Video Conferences, Video lectures, PDFs, Publications, and many more which helps us to attain simplified knowledge.

A few years back, remember how difficult it was to get a college prospectus, admission forms, and Institution information bulletin. Or when we miss a class? The role of ICT in Education has brought everything to our fingertips.

The role of ICT in education is not only limited to developing content and conducting classroom training through videos but also spread across management to simplify administrative tasks.

Nowadays several online educational programs are available that are conducted through Video conferencing, TV channels, Websites, and Apps to create and transmit educational content. It has the power to provide online training to students, and get connected to those who live in the remotest part of the world.

What are the Objectives of ICT in Education System? Role of ICT in Education

1. Enhance Modes of Communication: ICT offers various channels for communication between teachers and students, facilitating more effective interaction and understanding.
2. Enhance Teaching and Learning Methods: ICT tools and platforms provide innovative ways to deliver educational content and engage students in the learning process.
3. Enhance Data and Information Security: With proper cybersecurity measures in place, ICT can ensure the confidentiality and integrity of educational data and information.
4. Ease Student Management: ICT systems can streamline administrative tasks related to student management, such as attendance tracking and grading.
5. Automate Solutions: Automation of manual processes through ICT increases efficiency and reduces the likelihood of errors in administrative tasks.
6. Promote Interaction: ICT facilitates collaborative learning environments where students can actively participate and engage with course materials and each other.
7. Promote Direct Classroom Teaching: ICT enables teaching to occur in various settings beyond traditional classrooms, promoting flexibility and accessibility.
8. Increase Connectivity: Web-based platforms and tools allow for seamless communication and collaboration among students, educators, and other stakeholders in education.
9. Providing Accessibility Through Online Medium of Education: ICT helps bridge the gap in access to quality education, particularly in remote or underserved areas, by providing online learning opportunities.
10. Increase Transparency in the Education System: By leveraging ICT for data management and reporting, educational institutions can enhance transparency in policies, rules, and regulations, leading to a more accountable and equitable education system.

Overall, integrating ICT into education can lead to more efficient, effective, and inclusive learning experiences for students and educators alike.

What are ICT Tools in Education

As goes the famous saying that software is running it, but hardware is feeding it. These two are deadly combinations. The role of ICT in education encompasses a wide range of technologies and software applications that facilitate teaching, learning, and streamlining administrative tasks.

Let’s have a closure look at the role of ICT in education.

1. Learning Management Systems (LMS): in Role of ICT in Education
   • Platforms like Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard provide centralized online spaces where educators can deliver course materials, facilitate discussions, assign assessments, and track student progress.
2. Interactive Whiteboards: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Tools like SMART Boards and Promethean ActivBoards allow educators to deliver dynamic presentations, annotate content, and engage students through interactive multimedia activities.
3. Educational Software and Applications: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Cloud offer a variety of tools for creating documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and multimedia content.
4. Online Assessment Tools: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Platforms like Kahoot!, Quizizz, and Socrative enable educators to create and administer quizzes, polls, and surveys to assess student understanding and gather feedback in real-time.
5. Video Conferencing Software: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet facilitate virtual classrooms, online meetings, and remote collaboration among students, educators, and guest speakers.
6. Digital Content Creation Tools: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Applications such as Adobe Spark, Canva, and Prezi empower students to create multimedia presentations, infographics, videos, and animations to demonstrate their understanding of course concepts.
7. Collaboration and Communication Platforms: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace provide spaces for students and educators to collaborate on projects, share documents, and communicate asynchronously.
8. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): in Role of ICT in Education
   • Technologies like Google Expeditions, Nearpod VR, and AR apps added new dimension of learning experiences by immersing students in virtual environments and providing interactive 3D simulations.
9. Adaptive Learning Systems: in Role of ICT in Education
   • Platforms such as Khan Academy, DreamBox Learning, and Smart Sparrow use algorithms to personalize learning experiences, adapt content to individual student needs, and provide targeted feedback.
10. Cloud Storage and File Sharing Services: in Role of ICT in Education
    • Platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive enable students and educators to store, access, and share documents, presentations, and multimedia files from any device with an internet connection.
11. Parent Communication Tools: in Role of ICT in Education
    • Apps like Remind, ClassDojo, and Seesaw facilitate communication between educators and parents by sharing updates, announcements, and student progress reports in real-time.

What is the Role of ICT in Education and Teaching

The human mind remembers things more easily compared to written text if it is in pictorial form or if it can be visualized. It is easy to remember a visual story rather than a written text. Information passes from the conscious mind to the subconscious mind and gets stored in long-term memory. It is where the role of ICT in education plays a significant role for students.

Let’s delve deeper into the multifaceted role of ICT in education and teaching.

How is ICT helpful in Education (Role of ICT in Education)

1. Enhanced Learning Experience.
2. Anywhere, Anytime Learning.
3. Collaborative Learning Environments.
4. Efficient Administrative Processes.
5. Inclusive Education.
6. Lifelong Learning Opportunities.

How has ICT improved the teaching and learning process in schools (Role of ICT in Education)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly improved the teaching and learning process in schools in several ways:

• Enhancing Learning in the Classroom.
• Improving School Management and Related Tasks.
• Student Engagement and Skill Development.
• Improved Teacher Effectiveness.

Challenges of integration of ICT in teaching-learning process (Role of ICT in Education)

Although ICT and multimedia are very good resources for learning but most schools and teachers are not using these tools to enhance the learning. These causes are as follows:

• Unavailability of infrice structural facilities.
• Inadequate training or lack of training.
• Inadequate capital on the part of the individual.
• lack of time to spend on technology.
• Cost of technology.
• Negative perception of older people for multimedia and ICT.
• lack of power supply.
• Lack of perceived economic or other benefits.
• Lack of understanding of the value or possible benefits of multimedia facilities.
• Wrong choice of software or software inadequacy.

Role of ICT in Education with Policies

The government of India has acknowledged the presence of the role of ICT in education and has taken unprecedented initiatives to stand next to any developed country. From establishing benchmarks to incorporating significant policies at both central and state levels, they left no stone unturned to bring educational reform through this digital revolution.

• Role of ICT for quality improvement figures in the government of India’s flagship program on education Sarva Sikha Abhiyan (SSA).
• ICT has figured comprehensively in the norm of schooling recommended by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) in its report on universal secondary education in 2005.
• The significant role of ICT in education in school has been highlighted in National Curriculum Framework 2005 and National Curriculum Framework 2023-24.
• National initiatives like the U.S. Department of Education’s #GoOpen campaign encourage states and districts to adopt OER to support equitable access to quality education.
• National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) in India aims to make at least one person in every household digitally literate by providing digital literacy training.
• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India has emphasized the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education.

1. SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds):
   • SWAYAM is a program initiated by the Government of India and designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz., access, equity, and quality. SWAYAM seeks to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy.
2. SWAYAM Prabha:
   • The SWAYAM PRABHA is a group of 40 DTH channels devoted to the telecasting of high-quality educational programs on a 24/7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite. Every day, there is new content for at least (4) hours which would be repeated 5 more times a day, allowing the students to choose the time of their convenience
3. DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing):
   • The DIKSHA platform offers teachers, students, and parents engaging learning material relevant to the prescribed school curriculum. Teachers have access to aids like lesson plans, worksheets, and activities, to create enjoyable classroom experiences. Students understand concepts, revise lessons, and do practice exercises. Parents can follow classroom activities and clear doubts outside school hours.
4. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses):
   • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses available for anyone to enroll. MOOCs provide an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills, advance your career and deliver quality educational experiences at scale. In the Indian context, SWAYAM also offers MOOCs as part of its course offerings.
5. NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement):
   • NISHTHA is a capacity-building program launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to train school principals and teachers in areas such as pedagogy, leadership skills, and professional development. It aims to enhance the quality of school education and improve learning outcomes.
6. NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) Online Courses:
   • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in its para 5.15 and 5.16 lays down the need and standards for enabling opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of school heads and teachers to enhance and enrich this human resource, as they are the most fundamental pillar of the education system.
7. e-PG Pathshala:
   • e-PG Pathshala is an initiative of the MHRD under its National Mission on Education through ICT (NME-ICT) being executed by the UGC. The content and its quality are the key components of the education system, high quality, curriculum-based, interactive e-content in 70 subjects across all disciplines of social sciences, arts, fine arts and humanities, natural & mathematical sciences.

• ICT@Samagra Shiksha is an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, that aims to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into school education.
• The Digital India Campaign (2015) aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy

Conclusion of Role of ICT in Education

In the dynamic landscape of 21st-century education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as a powerful tool for enriching the teaching and learning process. From interactive whiteboards to digital simulations, ICT tools have revolutionized education, making it more engaging, accessible, and inclusive.

Through digital platforms, initiatives, and policies such as SWAYAM, DIKSHA, and NISHTHA, ICT has empowered students to engage with educational content in innovative ways. It enabled teachers to enhance their teaching effectiveness and promoted inclusive and equitable access to education.

Ultimately, ICT has the potential to revolutionize education and empower learners to thrive in this digital age and beyond.

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