What Is the Role of ICT in Higher Education Institutions?
2022-09-12 12:45:49
Information and communication technologies are quickly taking over the world. Roughly 60% of the entire global GDP will be digitised by 2022.
One of the areas in which ICT is making a massive impact is the education sector. In particular, higher education institutions are accelerating their adoption of ICT. That's due to the proven benefits of digital technologies in learning.
But, what exactly is ICT, and how can it help enhance higher education? Keep reading to find out.
What is ICT?
The term ICT is short for Information and Communications Technology. It refers to the various ways in which people and businesses use technology to communicate. ICT can include many things, such as:
- Basic telecommunications services
- The internet
- Social media.
ICT also includes the devices we use to access these services, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets.
Because connectivity has become crucial in today's world, global spending on ICT will likely reach $4.6 trillion in 2022.
What Can ICT Do for Higher Education Institutions
In higher education institutions, ICT plays many different roles. The most prominent are:
1 - Creation of Dynamic and Interactive Learning Environments
ICT provides tools for unified communication and collaboration. These tools help to facilitate a more active and engaged learning experience.
For example, students can use video conferencing to connect with classmates and instructors. Online discussion forums also allow students to share ideas and receive feedback in real-time.
ICT can further help to create more engaging and immersive learning experiences through the use of virtual reality. Many more simulation technologies also exist to help achieve this.
2 - Helps in the Delivery of More Individualised Instruction
ICT provides tools and resources tailored to the needs of each student. In doing so, ICT helps instructors deliver more targeted and personalised instruction.
For example, an instructor can use an online education platform to create a customised course for a student struggling with a particular concept.
They can also use ICT to provide students with targeted feedback on their performance, allowing learners to see exactly where they need to improve.
3 - Helps in Effective Progress Assessment
ICT makes it easy to track student activity and performance data. Thus, educators can identify areas where students have difficulties and tailor their instruction accordingly.
Moreover, ICT-based appraisals are graded automatically, thus allowing educators to focus on other tasks. Furthermore, online assessments can be administered quickly and reviewed anywhere, making them convenient for students and teachers alike.
4 - Gives Students Greater Access to Educational Resources
Students can use the internet to access all the educational resources they need. They can:
- Research topics for essays and assignments
- Access online databases and journals
- Stay up-to-date with current news and events.
ICT also helps students improve their study skills by providing them with tools such as online tutorials and e-learning materials.
5 - Reduces Higher Education Costs
The cost of higher education can be steep. Fortunately, there are many ways that ICT can help reduce the costs associated with higher education.
For example, many colleges and universities now offer remote education in online courses. Students may take classes from anywhere globally, enabling them to save money on travel and accommodation costs.
Also, ICT can help improve the efficiency of university administration, resulting in savings on staff costs. Instructors can also use ICT to develop new teaching methods that may be more cost-effective than the traditional ones.
6 - Plays an Important Role in the Accreditation Process
Higher education institutions are increasingly incorporating ICTs into their operations to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The accreditation process is a primary area wherein ICTs are used increasingly with time.
Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review process that assesses the quality of an institution's academic programs and other offerings. To be accredited, an institution must meet specific standards set forth by the accrediting body.
ICTs can help institutions collect and track data related to accreditation standards and also facilitate communication with accreditors.
7 - Helps Attract Students
Today's students seek more than just a degree from any higher education institution. They select cutting-edge and up-to-date institutions with the latest technology and facilities.
Hence the importance of ICT. Higher education institutions can make themselves more attractive to students by investing in their ICT. Learners enjoy having access to a range of benefits that students value, from online learning opportunities to 24/7 library access.
Investment in ICT shows that an institution is committed to providing a high-quality education that meets the needs of today's students.
8 - Helps Boost Security
Security is more critical than ever before in today's world, and higher education institutions are no exception. ICT plays a vital role in helping to boost security on campus by providing surveillance cameras and access control systems. ICT also helps to deter crime and keep students safe.
In addition, ICT helps to protect data security by encrypting sensitive information and storing it off-site. By storing data electronically, ICT helps to prevent data loss and ensure that data is only accessible to authorised users.
ICT Takes Higher Education Institutions to the Next Level
As technology advances, so does the way we learn. For this reason, higher education institutions are turning to ICT to help improve teaching and learning processes. If your institution isn't investing in the latest digital technologies, now's the time to do so.
If you're looking for reliable ICT solutions for your institution, get in touch with us today and learn how we can help.
