A Study on the Impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Secondary and Higher Secondary Students’ Education: On the Basis of Bangladeshi Students’ Opinion

The uses of ICT are growing rapidly among the young generation all over the world. Following the trend of the world, school and college students of Bangladesh widely engage themselves in using the ICT components like computer, mobile phone, Internet and Social Media. These components affect students’ personal life, academic results, family life and professional life. That is why; this study is designed to find out the positive and negative effects of ICT on the academic performances of students. The study was conducted to find out the impacts of ICT on the education of secondary and higher secondary level students, to assess the role of ICT in order to change the education system and education quality of Bangladesh and to identify the causes of barriers in utilizing ICT in the education sector of secondary and higher secondary level students in Bangladesh. Here the research design of the present study is a survey-type. Data were collected from nine stake holders/groups of school and college related person. Only students were selected by purposive random sampling within urban and rural area of Dhaka and Barisal district in Bangladesh. Forty Schools & Colleges were selected from the study area and 413 Students were selected from the. So, the total 413 respondents were selected. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Collected data were analyzed by using computer program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). From the result, it was found that about one-fourth of the students use computers in the institutions but four-fifths of the students use computers, mobile phones, internet etc. personally at their houses up to 6 hours. Some of the students utilize ICT for education purposes. They use ICT for composing, making slides, understanding subject related topics easily, finding information using internet. But it is a matter of concern that most of the students don’t utilize ICT for education purposes. They waste their time everyday in playing games as well as for using Facebook, Viber, Whatsapp, and other websites for enjoying songs, movies etc. 55.7% students use Android mobile phone. 14.7% students spend 4-6 hours in smart phone which is a matter of concern. According to 40.4% students’ opinion, using ICT for a longer period of time hampers their study. The results also show that in many schools and colleges in urban area, ICT is being used to take few classes in the classrooms. Some famous schools and colleges use ICT to take more classes. But in rural area ICT is used to take very few classes in the classrooms. As ICT is not using properly in institutions and houses, the positive impacts of ICT is not reflecting on the education of secondary and higher secondary students in Bangladesh. At present students can get pictures, videos and information by using ICT. Teachers are conducting classes by utilizing ICT components like Multimedia Projector, Over Head Projector to ensure quality learning. All the schools and colleges are taking steps for establishing ICT labs for a quality education and changing the education system. Teachers are being trained in computer and they are learning to make slides and teaching techniques. Many schools and colleges have compulsory rules for using ICT while taking classes by teachers. But the results of secondary and higher secondary students in ICT subject are not satisfactory because in the text book of ICT, topics are not explained elaborately. Besides, there is lack of practical learning opportunity. Students’ learning in the most of the Institutions is not properly ensured due to the lack of electricity, teachers’ effort, well furnished ICT lab, etc. The Government of Bangladesh should ensure internet connection and uninterrupted electricity supply in all the secondary and higher secondary educational institutions during class times. Institutions should appoint adequate number of skilled and trained ICT teachers and technicians. All the institutions should provide well-equipped ICT lab and infrastructure as well job opportunity. Teachers should take more classes by using ICT. Institution authority should ensure this. Students should not be given android phone before their passing of HSC. The guardians should observe and monitor their children at the time of their using ICT.