ICT: AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING TOOL DURING COVID-19 FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

The COVID-19 virus has thrown a new challenge to humanity in past years. The majority of the world's educational institutions went to a halt. ICT was being forced into the spotlight more than ever by this pandemic in order to adapt and support the basic educational demands. In the field of education, institutions were compelled to use technology. The pandemic phase connected the world through ICT and education was not limited to specific locations anymore. The present study was conducted with an aim to assess the knowledge and practices towards COVID-19 and the usage level of ICT while coping up with the pandemic among the students of The Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling were used to select the samples and the data was collected using Google forms administered through WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram, considering the COVID-19 protocols. Collected data were then analysed using frequency-percentage, intensity indices, t-test and ANOVA. 
 Percentage of surfing the WHO website for COVID-19 updates were significantly high. Little more than fifty percent of the students had higher level of knowledge regarding the virus. In terms of practices adapted towards prevention of COVID-19, about fifty percent of students had practices to a great extent. With students opting for more convenient resources, possibility of the getting exposure to misconceptions and rumours is high. The findings of the study revealed that high majority of the students could get access to necessary gadgets, especially smartphones for educational purpose. WhatsApp, Google Meet, M.S. Word, WPS Office, YouTube and Google Classroom were used by the students on a higher scale. As such conducive educational environment needs to be provided to expand the ICT skills and awareness which would help in bringing COVID-19 appropriate behavioural changes among the students.