Role of ict in life-long learning

Lifelong learning is now recognized by educators, governing bodies, accreditation organizations, certification boards, employers, and the general public as one of the most important competencies that people must possess. Promoting lifelong learning as continuous, collaborative, self-directed, active, broad in domain, everlasting, positive and fulfilling, and applicable to one's profession as well as all aspects of one's life has emerged as a major global educational challenge. In meeting this challenge, information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a pivotal role in all aspects of our life, and thereby cover the learning phenomena- both academic and non-academic fields. In the academic arena, ICTs are not only used as tools for support services but also embedded in instructional design of self-learning materials for assisting learners in their learning activities. This paper focuses on the role of ICT in the context of lifelong learning. It addresses both the use of ICT for learning and learning to use ICT. It includes formal, non-formal and informal education and training, whether in the workplace or elsewhere in everyday life. Different information society technological trends are highlighted in this paper. This paper also discusses the barriers in the path of life-long learning.