The use of ICTs in learning institutions has increased over the past decades. This was initially motivated by the increase in demand for a workforce with updated skills that will help them adapt to all aspects of life. We are talking about technology-centered workplaces, a competitive marketplace, and all other sectors that technology is influencing.

The emergence of the covid-19 pandemic has also proved just how important ICT is in education. With over 1.5 billion students out of class, learning institutions have been forced to incorporate distance learning programs. ICT has played a massive role in making the adjustments a success.

ICT will continue to be an integral part of education, and here is the role that ICTs will continue to play in education.

1. Equality in education

ICT is being used to address the issue of inequality in education. There are tons of factors that bring inequality in education, which include health status, learning capabilities, family social class, and much more. There are several ways that ICTs step in.

For instance, it allows fair grading of students by putting into consideration their strengths and weaknesses. Through learning analytics, students' performance is monitored, and they can be clustered depending on their performance.

This gives educators a bird's eye view of the capabilities of learners. With this information, they can personalize their learning. The educators will assess their performance fairly depending on their strengths. Students who need extra support can also be identified and assisted in catching up with the high performing students.

Thanks to ICT, all students can access teachers regardless of location, giving them equal opportunities to learn.

2. Collaboration

ICT is being used in schools to support collaboration. ICTs allow teachers, students, and experts to interact. Video conferencing tools make it possible for the students to hold discussions with their peers and share ideas. Through eLearning platforms, students can do group work in real-time. ICT has helped to promote a collaborative learning environment where students have access to a wealth of knowledge.

3. Capacity development for educators

Teachers also play a critical role in the performance of the students. Teachers that have the core professional competencies have better-performing students. The quality of the educators, therefore, matters, which makes their professional development vital.

By analyzing students' performance data, educators can determine how effective their lesson plans and techniques are. They can use this information to point out areas of improvement.

More so, ICTs have made it possible for teachers to access a large pool of learning resources which they can use to educate themselves. Teachers also have the opportunity to verse themselves with emerging competencies, which can improve their performance.

4. ICT has made education affordable

Technology has made education easy to access. Thanks to ICT, learners can study from anywhere and anytime. This has eliminated travel expenses and living expenses making education affordable as tuition fee is what students need to pay.

ICT has phased out paperwork, which serves as an extra cost to the learners. Thanks to technology, students also have access to tons of learning materials they don't have to pay for. Technology has seen a significant drop in the cost of education, making it more accessible to students.

5. A reduction in school dropout rates

Technology has helped in reducing the school dropout rate. Several factors have motivated dropouts, including demotivation due to poor performance and the lack of tuition fees.

ICT has made education affordable, and more students can access it. Students can study from home, reducing the overall expenses for acquiring education. On the other hand, distance learning has allowed flexibility allowing students to have part-time jobs, where they can raise tuition fees.

Through learning analytics, educators can identify the strengths and capabilities of students and personalize their lesson plans. This has seen a performance improvement, thus motivating the students to continue learning.

6. Effective administration

Administrative practices have an impact on the performance of students. The administration is responsible for choosing the curriculum, designing teaching strategies, and monitoring students' performance and progress.

The administration needs to be aware of what is happening in the classroom to address issues that may affect the students' performance. Be it the distribution of resources, the allocation of teachers and their experience, or the curriculum's implementation.

The use of ICTs in learning institutions can improve the quality of education by encouraging informed administration practices. ICT has availed students' information to the administration allowing effective planning. Be it the allocation of resources or implementation of the curriculum.

Take away

ICT has played a crucial role in enhancing the quality of education and will continue to do so in the future. Data has become valuable across all sectors, even in education. Administrations and teachers can make more informed decisions to improve the quality of learning.

With ICTs, schools can improve the professional competencies of the teachers and manage the schools effectively. Technology has seen a drop in drop out rates and increased flexibility in learning.