Information and communication technology

by Yuvi - March 4, 2022

What is Information and communication technology ( ICT )

When ideas, emotions, experiences and information are exchanged between two or more persons it is called communication.

Information is nothing but data in a properly decoded and arranged manner and Communication is the exchange of this information.

When new digital technology is applied for this communication, it is called Information and Communication technology.

We are in the knowledge era or information age. And the focus is now on ICT. ICT is proving to be more powerful than previous technologies because of their ability to integrate multiple media into simple educational applications, interactivity, flexibility of use and connectivity. Not only text but a full range of media including graphics, speech, sounds, still and moving pictures can all be stored and conveyed.

Education seems unlikely to escape the influence of such technological development especially as the cost of access to ICT continues to fall. Undoubtedly this is leading to the ascendance of web-based learning as a popular mode of education being adopted by distance teaching as well as conventional institutes. We can say that adoption of ICT has opened up new and fundamentally different options in education.

Nature, Characteristics and Merits of Information and communication technology ( ICT )

1. Information received through ICT is believable and exact.
2. Information and Communication Technology can update and resend information quickly whenever there is any change or addition.
3. Implementation of actions becomes very fast when information is passed via Information and Communication Technology.
4. Telephonic communication, video-audio conferencing is oral and in real time so immediate decision-making is possible.
5. Communication between a sender and receiver becomes very easy in any part of the world.
6. Digital messages can be stored and used as proofs and for references.
7. Communication has become cheaper due to advancements in ICT.

Need and Importance of Information and communication technology ( ICT ) (in education).

Importance of Information and communication technology

Due to globalization, and the World Wide Web, our world has shrunk. Exchange of information, ideas, views, etc. have become the key-factors for living in this modern world. Times are changing rapidly and those who do not keep pace with the changing times, are left far behind. Information and Communication Technology has made the world accessible on our fingertips. Newspapers, televisions, radios, computers – we have become to them and cannot live without these tools of ICT.

Need of Information and communication technology ( ICT )

1. Source of information – Information and communication technology ( ICT ) covers most of the mass media such as newspapers, television, satellite, internet, etc. Thus there is a vast ocean of knowledge and information available waiting to be tapped and disseminated.
2. Balanced development in rural and urban areas – There is a strong need to remove social and economic heterogeneity in society especially in a highly populous country like ours where nearly 70% of our population lives in villages. True progress of our nation can only take place when the rural areas are also equally involved and upgraded with modern technology.
3. Distance education – More and more people are opting for distance education for several reasons – earn and learn, part-time education or just for gaining more knowledge. Thus with Information and communication technology ( ICT ) the best of education can be received sitting in any remote corner.
4. Online or e-learning – E-learning is the new mantra where anything and everything is available on the World Wide Web. But to avoid overloading of information, one needs to use Information and communication technology ( ICT ) for the proper organization and distribution of this knowledge.
5. Conferencing – Time is money and the jet-setting executives and professionals need to constantly stay in touch and updated. With the help of ICT, people can stay in touch personally and in real-time.
6. Exchange of views and ideas – Man is a social animal. He constantly needs to interact with other people of his kind and ICT greatly facilitates this process.
7. Shrinking the globe – Due to globalization and hug influx of mass media, the world has become a small place and it is needed to know about all the peoples of the world for better social understanding and development. Here also the Information and communication technology ( ICT ) can play a key role.