Technology

Information Communication Technology also know as ICT
ICT refers to a set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and create, disseminate, store and manage information.  These technologies include computers, the internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony. (Akhtar UNDP-APDIP 2003).

ICT has changed the way we work, be it any professional.  Therefore, it is only but natural the role of ICT in higher learning institution has been given a lot of prominence in the recent years. ICT plays a major role in education.

Roles of ICT in higher learning Institution.
Information Technology Communication has deep impact in education in all levels.  Today ICT forms a part of university and colleges curricula, as it is important for every person today, to have the basic knowledge of computers which is part and percales of ICT.  There are several advantages associated with ICT in education, which includes an efficient storage and rendition of information, quick information processing and very importantly the saving.   Students find it easier to get learning materials from internet rather than perusing in big academic journals, textbooks etc.   Online education has revolutionized higher education. The ICT has played a major role in making the dream of distance learning to be a reality.  Education in higher learning institution is no more restricted to classrooms.  Universities and colleges are operating beyond their geographical boundaries, they have reached far and wide.

ICT has turned out to be a brilliant aid in teaching.  Computers facilities an audio-visual representation of information, thus making the whole process of learning interactive and interesting.  Computer aided teaching add a fun element to education.

Internet has also played a vital role in education. As it is an enormous information base, it can be harnessed for the retrieval of information on wide variety of subjects.

The benefits of ICT in higher education were obvious as they were location-independent and improved access for many groups (Hopkinson, ESD, 2000).

Facilities provided by universities are as follows.

Networking Technology.

Computer Network refers to interconnection of autonomous computers for communication purposes through a medium. Local Area network and Wide Area Network are commonly used in universities to facilities e-learning.

LAN is a network that provides inter-connection of computers in a small geographical area. There are several benefits associated with this kind of network such as-
Sharing of information, files and transfer of data from one computer to another
Sharing of hardware and software thus cutting down the cost.
Fast and reliable way of communicating.

Figure 1.0
The figure above illustrates how the Local Area Network can be developed (wikipedia, 2010).
This has contributes a lot in learning for example, a student in a traditional class can be assigned both print-based and online materials, have online mentoring sessions with their teacher, through chat, and subscribed to a class email list. Or a web-based training course can be enhanced.

Wireless technology
Wireless network refers to a network set up by using radio signal frequency to communicate among the computers and other network devices. This has made for students to access learning materials. Sometime it is also referred to as WiFi network or WLAN
.

Figure 1.1 the above diagram show how wireless network can be developed (home-network-helpwireless-network, 2008). Access points sometime are installed to increase the coverage as well as throughput.

Website tools
An interactive website
Colleges and universities have designed an interactive website system that enables its clients and students to have an interactive communication.  Most of higher learning institution has invested on online system.  Use of WEBCT is one the system that integrates very well with website students can be able to access their information while they are at home.

Search engines
Universities and colleges has collaborated with renown academic database that stores learning material. This has enabled ease of research, student save time on while reading and getting their material.

Online registration
This is online system that is integrated with a website students can register for their class online without necessary visiting the office, prospective students can access the course and make online payment. Some time online interview to determine whether the student is fit to pursue the course is done online.

How Anglia Ruskin University has implemented some of the above facilities.
The university has implemented a wide rage of ICT facilities that students, teaching staff, non-teaching and management have been using.  ICT has contributed a lot in Anglia Ruskin both in learning and normal activities.  The university has invested a lot of money in developing the following facilities.

Interactive and dynamic website.
WEBCT refers to an online piece of software that allows lecture notes to be accessible to students through the World Wide Web. Some of resources a student can access are as follows
Anglia Ruskin University has a WEBCT, WEBCT Student home pages used to introduce student to each other.

Chat rooms and private email chat for synchronous discussion about course content. Image archives searchable and linkable to complement contents assessment tools, quiz tools, survey, assignment drop box etc.( webct Anglia 2010)

Digital Library
The Digital Library is the Librarys portal to academically reliable information in electronic form and includes all of our electronic journals and databases etc (Anglia Ruskin University, 2010.)
Student management system such as E-vision.

E-Vision is a student management system that stores and retrieves students details.  When student log into e-Vision, they can access their useful resources such as registration status, personal details (personal Timetable, current modules, results, login details and email address and assignment).
ICT has brought revolution in higher learning institution.  ICT has changed the face of the university. ICT is no longer specialized tool to be used by specially trained personnel.  Its ubiquitous and used in almost every department in the university.