ICT

Information and communications technology (ICT) Stands for "Information and Communication
Technologies." ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through
telecommunications i.e. (telephone lines and wireless signals and computers). It is similar to
Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes
the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums as well as
necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audiovisual systems, that enable users to
access, store, transmit, and manipulate information

In the past few decades, information and communication technologies have provided society with a
vast array of new communication capabilities. For example, people can communicate in real-time
with others in different countries using technologies such as instant messaging, voice over IP
(VoIP), and video-conferencing. Social networking websites like Facebook allow users from all
over the world to remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis.
Modern information and communication technologies have created a "global village," in which
people can communicate with others across the world as if they were living next door. For this
reason, ICT is often studied in the context of how modern communication technologies affect
society.

Middleware is software that lies between an operating system and the applications running on it.
Essentially functioning as hidden translation layer, middleware enables communication and data
management for distributed applications. It’s sometimes called plumbing, as it connects two
applications together so data and databases can be easily passed between the “pipe.” Using
middleware allows users to perform such requests as submitting forms on a web browser, or
allowing the web server to return dynamic web pages based on a user’s profile.
Common middleware examples include database middleware, application server middleware etc.
What is Information?
Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver.
Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.

Attributes of Information
For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following characteristics
 Timely − Information should be available when required.
 Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
 Completeness − Information should be complete.

What is Telecommunication?
Telecommunication is the exchange of signs, signals, messages, words, writings, images and
sounds or information of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems.

What Is Technology?
technology includes all tools, machines, utensils, weapons, instruments, housing, clothing,
communicating and transporting devices and the skills by which we produce and use them to solve
problems.

Technology can be most broadly defined as the entities, both material and immaterial, created by
the application of mental and physical effort in order to achieve some value. In this usage,
technology refers to tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems.
Components of ICT
ICT in education
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.

Despite the power of computers to enhance and reform teaching and learning practices, improper
implementation is a widespread issue beyond the reach of increased funding and technological
advances with little evidence that teachers and tutors are properly integrating ICT into everyday
learning. Intrinsic barriers such as a belief in more traditional teaching practices and individual
attitudes towards computers in education as well as the teachers own comfort with computers and
their ability to use them all as result in varying effectiveness in the integration of ICT in the
classroom.

There is some evidence that, to be effective in education, ICT must be fully integrated into the
pedagogy. Specifically, when teaching literacy and math, using ICT in combination with Writing to
Learn, produces better results than traditional methods alone or ICT alone.

Pedagogy: most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, refers to the theory and practice
of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and
psychological development of learners.

OBJECTIVES OF ICT INTEGRATION IN EDUCATION

The following are the aims and objectives of ICT implementation in education:

1. to implement the principle of life long learning / education.

2. to increase a variety of educational services and medium.
3. to promote equal opportunities to obtain education.
4. to develop a system of collecting and disseminating educational information.
5. to promote technology literacy of all students.
6. to develop distance education with national contents.
7. to promote the culture of learning at school.
8. to support schools in sharing experience and information with others.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF ICT
Following are the misconceptions relating and involving ICTs in education:

 There is a repetitive cycle of technology in education that goes through hype, investment,
poor integration, and lack of educational outcomes.
 effects of ICTs are definite.

 ICT-enhanced education activities should not be perceived as a substitute for conventional

schools and teachers.
  To "tech" or not to "tech" education is, therefore, not the question.

 Effectively integrating technology into learning systems is much more complicated.

 A popular misconception and belief is that acquiring technological equipment is

‘empowering’ education and schools.

 ICTs do not mean computers and Internet.

 Delivering a lecture on use of ICTs in education during teacher-training would enable

teachers to ‘use’ ICTs in education.

 learning is not about distance, it is about learning.

Competencies of Teachers
The ICT competency standards for teachers were designed by UNESCO and its partners to help
educational policymakers and curriculum developers identify the skills teachers need to harness
technology in the service of education.
Electronic portfolio
An electronic portfolio (also known as a digital portfolio, online portfolio, e-portfolio, e-folio, or
eFolio) is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web.
Such electronic evidence may include input text, electronic files, images, multimedia, blog entries,
and hyperlinks. E-portfolios are both demonstrations of the user's abilities and platforms for self-
expression. If they are online, users can maintain them dynamically over time.

Types

There are three main types of e-portfolios, although they may be referred to using different terms:

 developmental (e.g., working)

 assessment
 showcase
A developmental e-portfolio can show the advancement of skill over a period of time rubrics. The
main purpose is to provide an avenue for communication between student and instructor. An
assessment portfolio will demonstrate skill and competence in a particular domain or area. A
showcase portfolio highlights stellar work in a specific area, it is typically shown to potential
employers to gain employment. When it is used for job application it is sometimes called career
portfolio. Most e-portfolios are a mix of the three main types to create a hybrid portfolio.

Usage
Today, electronic portfolios are gaining popularity in:

 Schools
 Higher education
 Continuing professional development
 Job applications/professional advertisements
 Therapy groups
 Assessment
 Accreditation
 Recognition of prior learning (RPL): describes a process used by regulatory bodies, adult
learning centers, career development practitioners, military organizations, human resources
professionals, employers, training institutions, colleges and universities around the world to
evaluate skills and knowledge acquired outside the classroom for the purpose of recognizing
competence against a given set of standards, competencies, or learning outcomes.