Information and Communication Technology (ICT): A Paradigm shift in Teacher Education

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become commonplace enties in al aspects of life. Acros the past twenty years the use of ICT has fundamentaly changed the practices and procedures of nearly al forms of endeavor within busines and governance. Education is a very socialy oriented activity and quality education has traditonaly ben asociated with strong teachers having high degres of personal contact with learners. The use of ICT in education lends itself to more student-centered learning setings. But with the world moving rapidly into digital media and information, the role of ICT in education is becoming more and more important and this importance wil continue to grow and develop in the 21st century. ICT helps in improving the quality of education stating that information and communication technology is an important instrument that can transfer the present isolated, teacher- centered and bok-centered learning environment into a student ?centered environment. ICT can change the traditonal concept of learning proces and the components of ICT should be integrated in the education program me in such a way that teaching should be enabled to face the new demands and improve the eficiency and efectivenes of education at al levels in both formal and non-formal setings. Thus, we must acept the new paradigm and technology in teaching learning proces. Educational instiutions ned to develop strategies, plan to improve teaching-learning proces and ensure that al teachers are wel prepared to use the new tols for learning. The emergence of the knowledge-based society is changing the global status of education .Now; it is the time to develop a new knowledge-based global society. In developing countries like India, there are many untrained teachers in this AbstractSRJHS&EL/ Asha Chabra (308-317) APRIL-MAY, 2014. Vol. -I, ISUE-II www.srjis.com Page 309 area. The new ICT would be able to reach these teachers and can provide quality education al around the globe.