Information Communication Technologies and Distance Education:New Perspectives

Abstract

We entered into 21st century with a pledge to transform it into a knowledge society. Knowledge society demands knowledge workers. It is beyond the acquisition of literacy and summary skills and functional social awareness.

The educational delivery system, through the ages, has been undergoing change. What started as oral instruction, with the advent of Audio & Visual gadgets has acquired innovative educational technologies for dissemination of knowledge and information. Further more computers and satellite based communication has totally changed pace and face of educational technologies. Today for that matter we are in an ICT era. We need to effect change in educational delivery system by optimally utilizing the available ICTs; for this would ensure flawless massification of education devoid of congestion in the flow of, be it information or skill transference.

In the process of evolving such an innovative ICT based educational delivery system, we have several stakeholders, whose initiative and dynamic interaction is required. The stakeholders include, the State (Provincial) Governments, Educators and ICT experts / industry.

This paper elaborates on the following aspects:

1. The present status of ICT from the point of view of available platform for offering education/training programmes.

2. The required strategies for designing and dissemination of content for the present ICT platform.

3. The strategy required for the networking and sharing of resources for optimizing the quality of distance education programmes, in terms of creating e-education through virtual classroom, virtual text books, etc.

4. “Learning and Teaching On-Line” – what it holds for the future distance education? Perspective and Prospects.

Key words: Information Communication Technologies; Distance Education

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Introduction

We need to prepare our selves to enter the fast-paced, ever changing a

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