What is I.C.T...?

•    I.C.T means:-

             I   :- Information 

            C   :-   Communication

           T   :-    Technology 

•     * Information and communications technology (I.C.T) is often used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT), It is a more extensive term (i.e. more broad in scope) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. 

   *  The term I.C.T is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives (huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the telephone network with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution and management.

    *  However, I.C.T has no universal definition, as "the concepts, methods and applications involved in I.C.T are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis." The broadness of ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form, e.g. personal computers, digital television, email, robots.

   

  *    I.C.T plays an important role not only in our daily life but also in education. 

   
  

  

  *I.C.T in education

         Today's society shows the ever-growing computer- centric lifestyle, which includes the rapid influx of computers in the modern classroom.
  Information and Communication Technology can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching, teachers’ professional development and more efficient education management, governance and administration. UNESCO takes a holistic and comprehensive approach to promoting ICT in education. Access, inclusion and quality are among the main challenges they can address. The Organization’s Intersectral Platform for I.C.T in education focuses on these issues through the joint work of three of its sectors: Communication & Information, Education and Science.  
  

   

  For the teacher, it is an initiation into:
• Exploring educational possibilities of technology,
• Learning to make right choices of hardware, software and I.C.T interactions, and
• Growing to become a critical user of I.C.T.

           For the student, it is an initiation into:

• Creativity and problem solving,
• An introduction to the world of information and technologies, and 
• An opportunity to shape career pursuits.

           Teachers who are already proficient in I.C.T can fast track through the course.

       Based on availability of infrastructure and access, students can begin as early as grade 6, in   any case, completing the course before they leave school.



 
 3 Main advantages of ICT tools for education

	1‧ Through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students. 2‧ Through ICT, teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students' comprehension. 3‧ Through ICT, teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration.

      



    3 Main disadvantages of ICT tools for education

	1‧ Setting up the devices can be very troublesome. 2‧ Too expensive to afford 3‧ Hard for teachers to use with a lack of experience using ICT tools

        Integrating ICT into education seems to be a necessary issue for educators / education administrators in the world. However, if teachers cannot make good use of the ICT tools, the money and time spent on the ICT is going to be a waste. Also, if the educational budget is limited, looking for a cost-effective and high-performance ICT tool can be the first priority.
So how about getting started on using ICT in education with the visualiser/document camera? You don’t need to waste time learning how to use a Visualiser because it is so easy to operate. And, you could even use it without a PC, which is very budget friendly. Please remember this point : Simple is best! Educational ICT tools are not for making educators master ICT skills themselves, but for making educators create a more effective learning environment via ICT.