Technology

ICT which is the acronym for information and communication technology is defined as the use of varied technological equipments and resources that are used for creation, dissemination, storage, management of information and for communication. These technologies consist of computers, cellular phones, internet, satellite system, radio and television

Uses of ICT
ICTs are increasingly used in higher Education to improve the quality of tutoring, learning and also by the management as a key policy maker since its a necessity in the 21st century.

Web based teleconferencing can also be used for tutoring in higher education where a lecturer located in a different geographical location can facilitate discussion through transmission of text, audio and visual via the internet.

Higher education distance learning is facilitated by ICT nowadays where students are able to enroll to virtual universities where lesson materials in form of online tutorials are provided to students.

ICT is also used for research purposes in higher education where resources can be accessed over the internet by students for policy making and adapt to innovations. With this, quality of learning has being improved through the increased access to new learning resources and approaches in teaching by use of teaching aids like projectors.

ICT Facilities provided by Institutions include

Wireless Technology
This is the term used to describe the transfer of information which allows sharing of two or more telecommunication devices like computers, cellular phones or personal digital assistant (PDA) without using network cables facilitating the internet connection, printer sharing and file sharing.

Diagram 1.0 above displays a model of wireless connection in an organization.

Wireless networking portrays the future of internet connectivity and telecommunication devices worldwide.

Wireless communication can be through the use of
Wi-Fi Wireless
This is the most popular wireless technologies that stand for wireless fidelity that uses radio frequency (RF) offering network connections and internet at high speed without any physical wired connection.

Bluetooth
Its an open wireless protocol that is used for sharing information over short distances as long as the device is blue tooth enabled.

Infra red
Infrared (IR) uses the same technology as Bluetooth to transfer data through the use of electromagnetic radiation over short distances.

Global positioning system
GPS is a navigational tool that is used in ships, aircraft and vehicles to ascertain their location.

Web based tools
This is software application that can be accessed using web browsers like mozilla or internet explorer. Information can be accessed using a telecommunication device over a network like a local intranet in an institution or through the internet.
The advantage of using web browsing tools is that no disk space is required on the client side and also allows compatibility across different platforms like windows and Linux.

Computer-based application
These are computer programs such as access, excel and Microsoft word that are installed in a computer and is normally used to assist users perform there functions easily.

Network technology
A network is the interconnection of computers, hardware and software devices so that they can share a resource like file or a printer.

Network technology is fast growing and allows institution or organizations to share information, software and hardware devices through a dedicate communication channels.
Network technologies have enabled universities to link with other universities electronically to provide students with enriched distance resources at the click of the mouse.

Social networking sites are also the in thing in institution where students can upload there profile information like academic achievement and curriculum vitae and be shared over the network.

Conclusion
The quest towards a knowledge based economy driven by globalization has made institutions of higher learning to equip its facilities with high technological equipments and train students to be competitive professionals and skilled so as to bridge the digital divide in our society.

Since technology is quite dynamic, resources used at Anglia Ruskin University need to be improved periodically so as to cope up with the ever changing industry, this will make ICT an enabling device to share and access information and also gain knowledge bridging geographical distance or constraint regarding to age or profession.

With the dawn of cyber universities other higher learning institutions have taken advantage of these sharing of education resources, distance education through
Information network platform and creation of web portals used in educational coursewares for distribution resources among other learning institution.