The world is changing with the growth in technology level and the concept of globalization. The world is turning out to be a global village where people can communicate via different form of technologies without having a physical appearance. ICT has been integrated in the different sectors of the economy, and it has boosted productivity, reduced the costs and most importantly enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of activities undertaken (Means 55). Therefore, with the current trends in the ICT world the integration of ICT in the education sector is not optional as ICT ensures that there is efficiency in training, and there is an efficient allocation of resources. ICT also largely improves the quality of learning by providing more internet resource for student use while carrying out research. The use of ICT has revolutionized learning and teaching in schools especially the higher learning institutions (Moore 4).
The use of ICT has seen the invention of new training programs while the traditional training has loosed value in these modern times. Today more and more programs are being introduced in the online learning. Nowadays students do not need to be in the classroom for them to learn but can do that comfortable from home. They just require having a computer, good internet connectivity and enrolling for an online program from a university or institution of their choice. The can also attend online classes where the lecturer or tutor teaches through video conferencing. They can ask questions, contribute to the subject taught and interact fairly with the lecturer without having to attend the classrooms. Online learning although simplifies learning has been accepted and rejected at the same time (Moore 17). There has been diverse views on it and those against it believe that it deprives the chance of teaching morals and communication skills to students as there is no informal interaction between the students and also between the students and their teacher. Those in support look at it in terms of cost reduction and attracting more students (Means 39).
As the president of the universities, I have looked into previous research carried out on the topic and have decided to introduce online learning in the institution. This is a significant step towards increasing the number of students and ensuring that the university remains relevant and modern in terms of employing modern technologies to boost learning and teaching (Moore 23). The institution thus will convert most of the courses to online where the students will be able to learn at the comfort of the homes. There has been a high demand by students to study online rather than in a classroom. This in itself shows that the university should change the mode of study to inline to cater for the increased demand.
If the institution fails to meet the need then it will lose a number of students that will in turn create more loss. Setting up online program will relatively reduce the cost. The cost of health care for the lecturers and students, the maintenance cost of infrastructure and cost of acquiring new infrastructure will be eliminated. Looking at the opportunity cost, the cost to be incurred during the shift to the online platform is relatively low. The cost of an online program will be affordable to a larger number of students compared to current costs.
In conclusion, the institution will convert most of it courses to online courses to ensure that it complies with the current demand for online course, reduce the operation costs that it is currently incurring and also continue integrating ICT in learning, therefore, creating a better learning environment for students.
Works Cited
Means, Barbara, et al. "Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A
Meta-Analysis and review of online learning studies." (2010).
Moore, Michael G., and Greg Kearsley. Distance education: A systems view of online
learning. Cengage Learning, 2011.
