Role of ICT in Educational Activities
ICT is diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. These technologies include computers, the Internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony. It is well known fact that ICT is now part and parcel of our lives in this century, bringing the world into one village and connecting remote societies. It is changing the way we do business, the way we live and, more importantly, the way we learn. Education is one of the main keys to economic development and improvements in human welfare, especially for developing country like ours. As access to information continues to grow exponentially, schools, colleges and universities cannot remain mere venues for the transmission of a prescribed set of information from teacher to student over a fixed period of time. Rather, these institutions must promote learning to learn, and conducting researches through the usage of ICT infrastructure. The role of ICT in education is not homogeneous; ranging from increase access to education (anywhere, anytime), improve the way we teach and learn, enhance the quality of education, and conduct researches by accessing remote resources. ICT's are enablers that optimize student-centered teaching and learning methods. Distance education through E-learning has got a thrust after the evolution of ICT-based education system. Improving the quality of education and training is a critical issue, particularly at a time of educational expansion. ICT's can enhance the quality of education in several ways: by increasing learner motivation and engagement, by facilitating the acquisition of basic skills, and by enhancing teacher training. However, the gap between those who have access to and control of technology and those who do not is the most challenging barrier that different stakeholders deal with, and failure to meet the challenge would mean a further widening of the knowledge gap. In addition, the effective integration of ICT's into the educational system is gradually seeking access to the technology itself, capital investment, curriculum and pedagogy, teachers readiness and so on. Hence, the delivery of education supported by ICT infrastructure has paramount importance, and worth considering in Wollega University.