INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY I.C.T.IN TEACHING

IT was limited only to the textual mode of transmission of information with ease and fast. But the information not only in textual form but in audio, video or any other media is also to be transmitted to the users. Thus, the ICT = IT + Other media. It has opened new avenues, like, Online learning, e-learning, Virtual University, e-coaching, e-education, e-journal, etc. Third Generation Mobiles are also part of ICT. Mobile is being used in imparting information fast and cost effective. It provides e-mail facility also. One can access it anywhere. It will be cost effective. The ICT brings more rich material in the classrooms and libraries for the teachers and students. It has provided opportunity for the learner to use maximum senses to get the information. It has broken the monotony and provided variety in the teaching – learning situation. The ICT being latest, it can be used both at school and higher education levels in the following areas:

• Teaching
• Diagnostic Testing
• Remedial Teaching
• Evaluation
• Psychological Testing
• Development of Virtual Laboratory
• Online Tutoring
• Development of Reasoning & Thinking
• Instructional Material Development

USE OF ICT IN TEACHING

Teaching at School as well as Higher Education, mostly, concentrates on giving information which is not the sole objective of Teaching. Along with giving information, the other objectives are:

·         developing understanding and application of the concepts

·         developing expression power

·         developing reasoning and thinking power

·         development of judgment and decision making ability

·         improving comprehension, speed and vocabulary

·         developing self-concept and value clarification

·         developing proper study habits

·         developing tolerance and ambiguity, risk taking capacity, scientific temper, etc. 

With the present infrastructure, class size, availability of teachers, quality of teachers, training of teachers, etc., it is difficult to achieve all the objectives. Further, most of the teachers use Lecture Method which does not have potentiality of achieving majority of above mentioned objectives. The objectives are multi-dimensional in nature, so for their achievement multiple methods should be used in an integrated fashion. At present ICT may be of some use. It is a well known fact that not a single teacher is capable of giving up to date and complete information in his own subject. The ICT can fill this gap because it can provide access to different sources of information. It will provide correct information as comprehensive as possible in different formats with different examples. ICT provides Online interaction facility. Students and teachers can exchange their ideas and views, and get clarification on any topic from different experts, practitioners, etc. It helps learners to broaden the information base. ICT provides variety in the presentation of content which helps learners in concentration, better understanding, and long retention of information which is not possible otherwise. The learners can get opportunity to work on any live project with learners and experts from other countries. The super highway and cyber space also help in qualitative improvement of Teaching – Learning Process. ICT provides flexibility to learners which is denied by the traditional process and method. Flexibility is a must for mastery learning and quality learning.

On INTERNET many websites are available freely which may be utilized by teachers and students for understanding different concepts, improving vocabulary, developing