2. ICT as Communicative Tool

Communicative tools are the applications that make communication easier. As per the use of the tools, communication is of two types, they are;

1.      Synchronous

It is also called real time communication as with the use of such tools people can communicate like the real time face to face communication.

Some of the examples synchronous communicative tools are;

2.      Asynchronous

Asynchronous communication is the communication that does not require people to be online at the same time like in synchronous communication. Some of the examples are e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, vle discussion forum, we chat, blog, etc… These tools are best applicable for the activities that require more time for thinking.

Example;

 

Difficulties
Synchronous	Asynchronous
ü  Multiple threads of discussion are difficult to follow. ü  Slow connection disturbs smooth flow of discussion. ü  Difficult for slow computer users.	ü  Discussion boards/blogs/vle fails to maintain the interest. ü  Additional task for learners to in checking the post time and again. ü  Discourages learners’ participation.

Information and Communication Technology as Informative Tool

Information and Communication Technology 

ICT has now become one of the needy tools in teaching and learning in 21^st century classroom. Today ICT serves as the assistive device in everybody’s work. Especially for the learners, it provides support in five broad senses as:

1.     an informative tool
2.     a communicative tool
3.     a constructive tool
4.     a co-constructive tool
5.     a situating tool.

ICT as an informative tool

Informative tools are the application that provides large amount of information in various formats such as graphics, texts, sound and videos and ICT is the one that serves the purpose. Today, everywhere it’s filled with ICT and the thing is viewer has got to be vigilant. It provides information in any way we prefer. There is no fear of not getting information in this technological world. World has developed much and all the information lies on our finger tips. The only thing is to know what to be looked for and what to be typed in URL.

Televisions, Radio and Internet is available everywhere and this are some of the based information sources that everyone is free to rely. Among, internet is far more advanced and serves as the best of information. Internet is such a great deposit of information and everybody consider internet as important tool in e-learning environment. Every need is satisfied by internet, but only after making sure that correct information is type in URL what is the exact thing that we are looking for.  

        

Today everybody use ICT in the way they prefer. Works in the offices uses ICT as their working tool, teachers in the classroom uses ICT as their teaching tool, students in the classroom uses ICT as their learning tool and farmers uses ICT as information tool (television and radio). ICT serves the purpose undifferentiated without looking for peoples’ occupation.  ICT is such a beneficial informative tool for everyone only if viewed from the good advantaged side.