Role and Impact of ICT on Rapidly Advancing New Age Teaching Pedagogy in Higher Educational Institutions in Oman

Abstract

While we can all agree that Education has proved its prominence in the developing society in all possible means and ways, it is nearly impossible to imagine teaching without the utilization of computers, mobiles, latest technology, its tools, and advancements. Like how the human race has evolved with betterment over centuries, the educational and teaching system has also become state-of-art by making everything we need at our fingertips. This chapter aims to analyze the various tools and methodologies adopted to teach in Oman HEIs using the advanced Information and Communications Technology. This study further aims to find the gaps between the intended deliverables and the actual delivered, the reasons, its causes and provide recommendations for improvisation. The strategies adopted in ICT always require update and upgrading from time to time. It is also important to train the staff, faculty, students, and people of different levels of administration including the top, middle, and bottom of the management pyramid. The research methodology is qualitative with descriptive review which targets to study the importance of having strong ICT framework for teaching especially in unsure times like this where a pandemic can impact the global system drastically. On considering Oman as a nation, recent example of how Cyclone Shaheen impacted the classes delivered is also briefly analyzed. The role of ICT in making teaching and learning possible online is being studied [29]. “Change is the only constant”, said the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus. I agree with him now more than ever. Education has evolved with strength to strength from time to time. These days the educational institutions are following hybrid or blended learning. The main reasons for this are that some parents and students are still not comfortable in getting back to normal routine, the necessity to follow social distancing norms, precautious to be followed, measures to be taken, etc., how effectively is this form of learning is another question to ponder upon. It is important to understand the requirements in order to keep up with others involved. The analysis and recommendations will be based on three main factors. The ease of using the tools by everyone involved after the training, the problems faced during classes both technical and non-technical and to overcome and tackle hurdles, difficulties if any arises during a session and the corresponding alternatives in order to benefit the purpose and attain guaranteed satisfaction unanimously by all involved in the class [19].