The new requisite of higher education is that “Universities and Colleges should have access to Information Technology.” The time has now come for a different approach. We have to break the tradition of classroom teaching as the only method of imparting education. The present education system must respond to change and should consider IT as a means to an end. It should try to keep pace with the vast changes overtaking the society all over the world.

Life in the coming decades is likely to bring us both challenges and opportunities. The coming generations must be well prepared to face the challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. For that the teachers should provide training in application of new ideas. Their actions should be guided by a strong commitment to social development. In order to achieve this, the content and methodology in the curriculum will require improvement. Teachers are required to update their professional competence regularly and keep abreast of new trends in their respective fields. Their expertise will help in
the continuous and comprehensive evaluation of the students.

The present age is dominated by technology in which IT, by virtue of its vast resources, is very influential. No aspect of life or service has been left untouched by IT. This powerful tool has been instrumental in improving the performance of every sector where it is used. The best approach to utilize IT in everyday life is to identify the areas where it can be applied and then to evolve a strategy to achieve it. National Informatics Center [NIC], a premier IT Organization was set up by the Government of India to promote a state-of-the-art solution for IT needs at all levels.

Revolution in Linking and Communication :
Information Technology is a broad term covering all aspects of managing and processing information. Computer Hardware, Software and Internet are the keys to these systems that are designed, developed, supported and managed by software professionals. The discovery of computers and the subsequent development of IT is one of the most significant achievements of the twentieth century. The role of IT as an instrument for progress and development has been acknowledged widely and is expected to bring in major educational benefits for the students' community and to accelerate the process of development. A large amount of software is available on various subjects. This technology can also be used for distance education over the computer communication network and would be advantageous for the adult literacy programs too.

In the near future, ordinary PCs will be able to vividly explain and show to the students answers to the questions in full motion, talking, color and video graphics instead of simple, written text. Keyboards will be replaced with the Voice Recognition System, and language translation will be computerized. Virtual Reality will eventually allow one to enter any world imaginable. The Screen won't be just the size of a desk, but that of an entire wall, making the images life size. One can buy a briefcase containing computer, printer, fax, copier and telephone permitting instantaneous contact from anywhere. This would mean radical changes, almost a revolution taking place in the Linking and Communication of -
 

• Performance
• Availability
• Modularity
• Ergonomics
• Scalability
• Overall Rating
• Cost
• Reliability
• Compatibility
• Connectivity
• Efficiency
• Flexibility
• Security
• Documentation

Internet as a Tool for Education : (Interconnection and Network = Internet)
The Internet is the Network of the Networks. It is an intellectual resource, which people want to share. The Internet shall make everything possible with regard to Computer connections. Byte codes are reconstituted in the computer. Therefore, the computer is known as the fullest expression of human creativity. The repository linking tools of the Internet are -

1. WWW
2. E-Mail
3. Usenet
4. Internet Relay Chat
5. File Transfer protocol (FTP)
6. Telnet.

The Power of IT:
In Information Technology, it is a well accepted fact that information is power and advanced telecommunication services are used to obtain maximum benefit in educational development. The computer is an engine of the mind. So, the battle for the ownership of knowledge has already begun. It becomes easier to access information. Besides, computer hardware and software, the other major component of IT is the computer communications network. Nationwide Computer Networks like Nicnet, Indonet, Ernet, I-net etc. have been established connecting all corners of India. The applications of IT system are :

• Executive Information System (EIS)
• Decision support System (DSS)
• Management Information System (MIS)
• Knowledge Work System (KWS)
• Transaction Processing System (TPS)
• Office Automation System (OAS)

Along with effective systems, the teacher has to play a certain personal social role so as to guide the learners towards an all round development of personality. To cope with the information available, the education system should equip students to filter what they need from what should be discarded. Examinations can be conducted at any time. The result of the examinations can be declared within a short period. We can go in for paper-less examinations. But the following precaution is necessary to avoid future damage:

• Quality control in text material .
• Check on misleading Information.
• Reference to Media Laws.
• Unity of impression.
• Minimizing radiation effect by avoiding long exposure.

The New IT Age:
The current era is a convergence of various branches including industries, business enterprises, educational institutions etc. With the globalization of education, India has landed in the centre of the IT scenario. The late eighties saw the percolation of IT culture beyond the metropolis right up to the village level. IT is utilized to increase the efficiency of existing systems. It can provide a Network of “Facilitation Booths.” It brings the world knowledge at the very doorstep through Internet via Nicnet. Its speed is tremendous. It is cheap. It is easily stored/coded/decoded automatically. Mobilization of sources and Online Service have become a necessity today. Electronics journals for e.g. Science, Technology, Medical Journals (STM), Integrated Library System Packages, Internet Based Resources and Services; Universal Resource Locator (URL), Online Courseware Directory, Hypertexts, Hyperlink etc. transform the educational institutions into an IT that captures the mind and nurtures the heart.

By Prin. M. S. Kurhade
Sanskar Sarjan Education Society’s
D.T.S.S. College of Commerce,
Kurar, Malad (E), Mumbai-400 097

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