Barriers To The Effective Use Of Information And Communication Technologies In Distance Education

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have revolutionized all aspects of human life on this planet and these have created unprecedented challenges and unparallel opportunities for advancement on this globe. Teachers are leaders and nation builders, hence, prepare generations to meet the accelerating challenges created by ICTs. The study focused upon the problems and issues pertaining to the effective use of ICTs in teacher training in distance education. // The study was descriptive in nature therefore, survey was considered appropriate for data collection. A sample of 50 teachers and 200 students of BEd, MEd and MA Education were taken randomly in 2012. Data were collected via a questionnaire and top 10 barriers were solicited from the respective respondents. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively as well. The results of the study arrayed lack of training, power failure, lack of technical support, Lack of peer support, slow connectivity, lack of quality software, lack of quality hardware, lack of software, lack of knowledge and lack of confidence as top 10 barriers among tutors. Sequence was changed among students as lack of hardware, power failure, lack of quality hardware, lack of software, lack of quality software, lack of training, lack of technical support, lack of peer support, slow connectivity, and lack of confidence were arrayed as top 10 barriers/problems. Conclusions and recommendations were made in the light of findings. // Paper ID: 321