Advantages And Disadvantages Of ICT: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an expanded term for information technology (IT) which also includes the role of communications and the integration of telecommunications. It deals with telephone lines, enterprise software, wireless signals middleware, audio and visual which enable the users to access connections, store and transfer, and also understand and handle information. It also incorporates analogue technology for example paper communication. Any product can store, retrieve, manipulate and transmit and receive information through electronic digital mode.
Students can also find more Advantages and Disadvantages articles on events, persons, sports, technology, and many more.
What is ICT? What are the advantages and disadvantages of ICT?
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is sometimes also known as Information Technology (IT) but ICT is used in a broader manner. ICT also provides robotics and artificial intelligence. ICT can also be incorporated into the education system as in schools, tools of ICT can be used in a diverse manner where one can communicate, create, store and manage information. In some places, ICT has become an important part of teaching and learning methods. For incorporating ICT, teachers should be digitally literate and also replace the chalkboard with interactive and interesting methods of digital whiteboards. When teachers are digitally trained, they make the learning approach more prominent which leads to effectiveness. For students, it improves thinking skills where students can grow their creative talents and can also express their views in a better learning form.
- Advantages of ICT
- Disadvantages of ICT
- Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of ICT
- FAQ’s on Advantages And Disadvantages Of ICT
ICT in Education
In many countries, digital literacy is being built through ICT in schools. Some common applications of ICT:
- Interactive Smart Board: Smartboard allow projected computer images to be displayed, used, dragged, clicked or copied. Through the help of a digital pen or marker, teachers can mark, write notes and underline important points on the board and save handwritten notes too. Slides are shown topic wise for better understanding. Students interact efficiently as their engagement is higher when ICT is available throughout the classroom.
- Flipped Classrooms: In Flipped Classrooms, students get to watch and practice lectures at home via computer-guided instruction. The concept of Flipped Classrooms requires a little research from their side while learning as it has expanded the curriculum.
- E-readers: E-readers are electronic devices which consist a number of books for reading in digital form. Readers have had positive responses to using e-readers. Many books are also available free for reading in e-book form.
- Tablets: Tablets are small personalised computers without a mouse and keyboard, easy to carry and use devices. Through various software apps, students can learn and work with great ease.
Types of ICT
There are four types of ICT tools:
- Educational Networking: Online networking platforms like Facebook and Myspace provides all learners with a social networking space to learn through new technologies or digitally. Example: Elgg, Classroom2.0.
- Web-Based Learning: Online applications and services which enable learners to interact and collaborate with others, they can also search for educational content and receive content from others. Example: Wiki, blog, podcasting.
- Mobile Learning: Mobile devices or technologies used for educational purposes with a different set of instructions to perform educational activities. Example: Smartphones, PDA.
- Classroom Equipment: Stand-alone or free devices traditionally used for classroom facilities where teachers can assign tasks to students and can interact actively. Example: Touch-screen computer, Smartboard.
Impact of ICT
- ICT has drastically changed how people communicate and work, moreover, it has helped and eased the workload and with the passing of time, it continues to revolutionize all parts of the human experience.
- ICT is also important in economic growth as it is said that it led to Fourth Industrial Revolution and it helps to grow business monumentally.
- People refer to this new era as Digital Age because people can face time with others, and digital learning for students made smart learning, people are more socially active on different platforms.
- Rich and developed countries make the best use of ICT as they enjoy or access more in effective ways.
- As the data suggests, in 2016 it stated that 75% of people have access to mobile phones globally and internet connection through broadband remains a bit expensive as for the lack of ICT facilities in many countries. The World Bank says out of 7.4 billion people, more than 4 billion do not have access to the internet and 1 billion people only have access to high-speed internet.
Advantages of ICT
ICT methods and concepts are growing day by day, here are some advantages of ICT
- Cost-Effective: ICT has brought the world together through the means of video conferencing and it has reduced the expenses of travelling and accommodation. It has enabled the global economy to grow and act independently.
- Bridging the cultural divide: Access to technology has aided in bridging the cultural divide by allowing them to connect with each other through the means of communication. One can easily exchange ideas and narratives constructively.
- Education: Education has become interactive and innovative through the advancement of information and communication technology. It has enabled the students with computers and internet services. Teachers can use ICT to explain complex structures.
- Automation: It has supported businesses to be automated, engaging the clients to access different websites 24 hours a day.
Disadvantages of ICT
ICT also have a few demerits
- Risk of Hacking: Sometimes data or personal data gets hacked by hackers unethically which remains the major problem in ICT.
- Expensive: Computers and internet connectivity are expensive for people to afford sometimes, hence they could not avail the facilities, especially in the village or rural areas.
- Misleading information: The Internet most of the time provides misleading or wrong information to people.
- Not accessible everywhere: There are places where due to poor connectivity people face problems getting connected through the internet and hence it restrains their daily activities.
Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of ICT
| Advantages of ICT | Disadvantages of ICT |
| Communication has become quicker and more efficient. People can call, face time and text anyone. | Unethical hacking and cyber crimes are the most prominent disadvantage of ICT. |
| ICT has globalised the whole world. | Managing courses online sometimes becomes difficult and troublesome. |
| It has helped to automate business deals and practices and also helped economically. | For poor people affording an expensive internet connection becomes difficult. |
| In education, E-learning books and apps are introduced to students and teachers. | Students get distracted watching or learning destructive or immoral content on the internet. |
FAQ’s on Advantages And Disadvantages Of ICT
Question 1.
Full form of ICT?
Answer:
The full form of ICT is Information and Communication Technology.
Question 2.
What is the use of ICT?
Answer:
ICT has helped the world by providing better technologies and also provided a better means of communication through devices and internet connectivity. It has also upgraded modern educational techniques and encouraged people more in computer literacy.
Question 3.
Name two E-Learning platforms.
Answer:
Two E-Learning platforms are Skillshare and Future Learn. There are other platforms available too.
Question 4.
What is the role of ICT in education?
Answer:
ICT has developed the educational system through its contribution as students became more active in learning platforms and more interactive in nature. They show more interest in learning and creating new things with the help of a study guide provided to them.