Information Technology in Education

Conceptual Framework:

Information technology has become, within a very short time, one of the basic building blocks of modern industrial society. Understanding information technology and mastering the basic skills and concepts of information technology are now regarded by many countries as part of the core of education alongside reading and writing. This area of study goes under the all-embracing name of informatics. Justification for informatics learning stems from the reality that information technology now permeates the business environment and underpins the success of modern corporations as well as providing government with cost-efficient civil service systems. At the same time, the tools and techniques of information technology are of value in the processes of learning and in the organization and management of learning institutions. The trends in the need for qualified personnel (computer scientists) give a clear demonstration of the need for effective informatics learning at all levels

According to UNESCO, all governments aim at providing the most comprehensive education for all citizens within the constraints of available finances. Because of the pivotal position of information technology in modern societies, the introduction of informatics to secondary schools will be high on any priority agenda. UNESCO also emphasizes the fact:
"Without political vision, technological innovation leads the quality of life, unimproved. Anticipations of future technologies depict wonders tools for living, but then culminate with "a day in the life", usually an ordinary office routine with little at stake that was different from what would be at stake in the corporate office any where today. Such visions do not inspire people to solve human problems old and new, to join together with shared hopes and historic aspirations, enabled now to act on issues hitherto inaccessible to the common weal. Educators need power, not purity, technologists need vision, not predictability. Together educators and technologists have the historic opportunity to improve the civic prospect - that is the message of power and pedagogy."


Computer technology has the fastest rate of return. Proper education and minimum hardware leads to quicker returns. Also, information technology lowers the time spent on job thus lowering labor cost. The Information Super highway has great potential for improving the quality, efficient management, effectiveness and access to higher education for a vast population of students in our country. It has put at the disposal of academic community the vast data bank on a worldwide basis. Laboratories around the world are in effect sharing a common chalkboard-the Internet. Theories and experimental results are all being shared electronically, with geographically dispersed community.
Internet, thus, provides for the third world vast opportunities for the development of science and technology.


The advent of Information Super highway shows that education needs no longer be limited to face-to-face learning situations. Learners can choose their own place, time and mode of study. The educational institution is no longer the sole provider of knowledge. Mass communication media such as television, computers, particularly the Internet are playing a crucial role in the dissernination of knowledge. Information technology will continue to be pervasive and multi-dimensional in providing access to learning. With the application of information technology, teaching-learning situations have multiplied and diversified. Using technology to instruct, and tailoring learning programs to meet the needs of learners is now an important factor in meeting the educational needs of students. Thus, the use of information technology has unlimited potential for distance education too.


The Dearing Report (1997) has anticipated that over the next century, higher education services will become an internationally tradable commodity within an increasingly competitive global market. According to the report, the development of a world market in learning material, based on information technology, will lead to the formation of trading partnerships between institutions for the provision of infrastructure, services and content. Our universities need to concentrate on information technology and should use its vast scope for developing teaching and learning resources and improving the quality of education as well as linking themselves with scientists in other countries.

The investment in information technology infrastructure and its network will bring our institutions of higher education on the world map. Therefore, we need to encourage Internet access and gateways for the purpose of teaching and learning and develop electronic libraries for online delivery of higher education to a vast student population. We have to realize that information technology promises a great future and can play a vital role in enabling institutions to overcome their present isolation and shortage of resources. This is particularly important in view of the present resource constraints accompanied by an increasing number of students. Investment in information technology can help overcome this drawback. We therefore, need to fully exploit the advantages of this technology to our benefit.


CONCLUSION:

Information technology is developing as a major industry in the world. Several small countries have become major information technology producers or sophisticated users; The potential of information technology as an industry in Pakistan has yet to he capitalized. The government of Pakistan have already shown deep interest in it. However, for such an interest to bear fruit there is a need for a platform for both the public and private sectors to communicate with each other. The most important question is, as to how best we can benefit from this revolution for the development of our education and give access to our teeming millions who cannot afford books. How best can we use it for the distance learning process? The country also needs highly trained computer scientists and engineers who would carry out research and development in this field and provide effective teaching and training support to academia and industry as well as the intellectual backing for software industry to be able to compete at the international level.