Advantages and Disadvantages of Using ICT in Higher Education
Advantages of Using ICT in Higher Education
1. With the use of ICT in learning, the constraints of time and place are removed. Students can access learning material anytime and anywhere.
2. Teaching models have also changed with the introduction of ICT, as now learners participate actively instead of being passive listeners.
3. ICT makes learning interactive, self-directed, and independent.
4. It facilitates learner-centred learning with the use of computer and internet, that is, e-learning.
5. Classroom activities planned with the use of ICT makes learning interesting.
6. Students get to know about the computer, internet, and other gadgets when these are used in classrooms.
7. Use of soft copies of learning material saves paper and thus, is eco-friendly.
8. In the classroom set-up, there is interaction between the teacher and students. But, in the case of e-learning, students can learn on their own even in the absence of the teacher.
9. Use of internet, e-books, and other e-resources provides a wide range of information to students.
10. If planned properly, it can make teaching effective and efficient.
11. Classroom lectures, discussions, and debates ca be recorded for using later or streamed live online.
12. Use of slides, videos, presentations, and other aids can boost creativity in students.
13. Online quiz and test can be conducted for evaluating students. OMR sheets can also be used for pen and paper-based tests. Thus, evaluation will be done with the use of computers. This will reduce the burden of teachers and also there will no chance of partiality in evaluation. This will save time as well.
14. Results of tests and any other updates can be sent to students and their parents through text messages or mails. Today, most schools provide updates through Whatsapp groups of students or their parents.
15. There is flexibility in learning with ICT as students can choose learning material as per their own choice.
16. There are new features in services like Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets, where two or more users can work on the same file together at the same time whether sitting nearby or being geographically distant.
17. Social media can also be used for education purposes. For example, candidates appearing in NTA UGC-NET Exam can create a group on Facebook, Whatsapp, etc., to discuss the question pattern, strategy, and study material. Due to vast coverage of social media, such groups will also have greater reach than classroom learning.
18. Students can use educational apps on their smartphones for easy learning.
19. Online courses, MOOC, interactive videos are also of great help to students, where they can learn free of cost, anywhere and anytime from the experts.
Disadvantages of Using ICT in Higher Education
1. Teaching aids should be chosen carefully; otherwise instead of making learning interesting, these can lead to chaos in the class and make it difficult for the teacher to manage students.
2. Technical issues and malfunctioning of the hardware equipment can hamper learning.
3. Use of too many teaching aids will confuse students.
4. Teachers may also lack skills for effective use of ICT in teaching.
5. Technology keeps updating. The new innovations are designed to overcome shortcomings
of the present technology. Teachers should also update themselves regarding new innovations from time to time so as to avoid using outdated hardware and software.
6. If teachers are not willing to use ICT in class then negative attitude will develop in students and they will lose interest in ICT.
7. Use of ICT is based on use of electricity. Teaching and learning will halt if there are power cuts.
8. The all-round development of students may be affected in the absence of a teacher.
9. There is massive amount of information available online. Students may not be able to differeniate between the right and wrong information. They will learn from whatever they get, even if it is reliable or not.
10. For integration of ICT in teaching, some hardware and software are required which are usually very costly.
11. In the absence of the teacher in learning, students need to be determined and motivated. If they are not, then it will be difficult for them to complete the course within the time.
12. Not all subjects can be taught with ICT. Sometimes, traditional approach has to be used for clarifying doubts of the students.
13. When learning is completely based on ICT, there is lack of human touch.
14. Teachers also need to be well-versed with modern technology so that they can use it effectively in the class and guide students to use it.
15. Students who are not much familiar with technology will have hard time in understanding and using it for learning. Thus, it results in a digital divide.
16. Use of social media can also lead to time wastage.
17. Preparation of learning material, slides, videos, charts, educational games, etc., is time-consuming. Some teachers may not be willing to put in much time.
18. There are incidents of online frauds and hacking where the user data is misused.
19. Not all learners will have access to online learning material due to lack of resources.
20. Due to easy availability of materials online, the content can get copied and used by anyone without permission. Some websites upload scanned copies of notes, books, etc. which might be helpful for students, but it amounts to web piracy.
