:: ICT..??? ::
Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America(ITAA), is" the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware." IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve. Today, the term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term is more recognizable than ever before. The information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering, computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems. When computer and communications technologies are combined, the result is information technology, or "infotech". Information Technology (IT) is a general term that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate, and/or disseminate information. Presumably, when speaking of Information Technology (IT) as a whole, it is noted that the use of computers and information are associated.
:: InTr0duction ::
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an enabler, not a goal. It simply makes desirable ends like sustainability, higher quality, faster construction, lower cost and making competitiveness more attainable. In modern design and manufacturing, ICT is a useful support tool because it can make design and manufacturing more robust, effective and efficient by using computer-based system, such as virtual system and computer simulation. Discusses the role of new information and communication technologies (ICT) on engineering education. Role of the International Association of Universities affected by information technology; Limitations to the implementation of ICT in universities; Cost factors; National telecommunication support structure.
:: meTh0dology/Ways 0f doing things ::
Teaching and learning
Information technologies have to be seen as a resource to help fulfill the university educational mission. Support of teaching and learning was computer-assisted learning. The differences between universities and areas of learning, science and technology still making far more use of information technologies.However, the following technologies and facilities are increasingly being offered in universities. The examples of general tools are text editing, e-mail boxes for students and teachers, Internet navigation, transfer of files and training material, WWW, discussion group, chat rooms, video-conferencing. Communication links to student residences, between student and teachers, computer study halls are available wireless, so we can access the more.
ICT in organization and management of instruction to access the information
Through the WWW, access to scientific information, literature, journals, course and training material, explanations through multimedia, databases, etc. Huge libraries are put at the disposal of teachers and student who are able to surf through the equivalent of entire book shelves. On-line public access catalogues are widely developed on campus and made available on the Internet by a growing number of institutions. Student progress, registration, evaluation and test systems, assignments through bulletin boards, distributed learning, and flexible scheduling.
ICT in manufacturing and laboratory material
To assist the classes students have to examine case studies, they can be shown videos, interviews of various people involved, and comparative data on-line. Students see the situation from different view points and their learning experience is enhanced considerably. Similarly, in engineering fields, for example, simulated and remote-controlled laboratories are used as hands-on experiences in this area are often no longer available.
Distance tutoring and ‘virtual’ classes
More effective learning techniques are offered in place of traditional distance teaching techniques such as radio broadcasting and television. Some courses now “incorporate interactive multimedia with audio, video, Java, Active-X, the Virtual Reality Modeling Language, and plug-in applications such as shockwave”. (John Milam,1998,gives a wide range of examples of new information technologies used in courses in the us).
In research
Networking and research dissemination were based on personal contacts and publications. As communication is an inherent component of research ICT. Essential for researchers, who can enjoy much wider international cooperation in their field. After all, the Internet was an invention of the research community. Researchers in science and technology have felt an even greater need for information technology than researchers in the social sciences and the humanities. However, with the incredible increase in the volume of information in every discipline, the gap between these two categories, although still big,is narrowing.
:: c0nclusi0n ::
Whatever strategies in learning and teaching engineering education manufacturing adopt, there is no doubt that ICT offer unique possibilities to enrich traditional teaching, learning and research. The application of use ICT in manufacturing and design in education has been significant. The internet, if used intelligently, will act as a powerful supplement to the teaching and learning methods already in existence and will render them even more effective. Before we begin to used ICT as a teaching and learning in manufacturing we need to reflect critically on our reasons for doing examine the ways in which we will employ it.
