Role of ICT in Professional Development of Teachers

The most striking and latest innovation in the field of education is the integration of Information and Communication technology in education. The educational institutions, administrators, and teachers should cope with the suddenly increasing demand for information and skills. One cannot depend on only the same big blackboards, an overhead projector and video-graphed concepts as either because the transaction of curriculum is poor or the tools used in its transition lack application and skill. Technological resources that are available for teaching and learning specially include computer hardware and software, in addition to the growing range of peripherals, which include video, CD-ROM and electronic communication media. The rapidly changing nature of computer technology continues to expand the range of resources available for any subject- specific learning. Educators must be imaginative, flexible and willing to renew their vision of teaching and learning if they are to fully realize the potential of educational technology.

The quality of teachers and their continuing professional education and training remain central to the achievement of quality education. Yet today, the number and quality of teachers, teaching practice and teacher education are facing serious systemic challenges across the world. The situation must be redressed at a time when the world needs an estimated 9.1 million new teachers to reach internationally-agreed education targets by 2015. UNESCO believes that these challenges can be addressed through a holistic, systemic approach to education and teacher development systems in ways that also incorporate the enabling role of ICT. UNESCO facilitates initiatives related to the integration of ICT in teacher education by supporting existing teacher development communities of practice, multi-stakeholder partnerships, capacity building of policy-makers and the development of international standards on ICT competencies for teachers.