PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) (Pages 32-39) by Dr. Chindam Ravinder* and Dr. Pechetty S V R Babu** in THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST / ISSN: 2350-1499 (Online); 2350-0751 (Print)

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), in education plays an important role, especially in the process of empowering the technology into the educational activities. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching, teachers’ professional development and more efficient education management, governance and administration. The present study is to investigate the effectiveness of ICT program for teachers in relation to-Views, Knowledge and Use of ICT conducted on 30 teachers. The data are collected through a self-designed questionnaire on the views about ICT, knowledge about ICT and use of ICT by teachers. Based on the responses percentages are calculated and used to compare the result of pre test and post test. The study results concluded that training in ICT would be most effective for teachers’ professional development. Now more teachers have started using ICT in their teaching learning process. The teachers must have the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to inculcate ICT in to the curriculum. Without maintaining the quality of teachers no innovation should be expected. The teacher is required to use ICT to enhance students learning and the Govt. should introduce more ICT training programs. ICT can lead to improved student learning and better teaching methods. It is proved that an increase in student exposure to educational ICT through curriculum integration has a significant and positive impact on student achievement, especially in terms of "Knowledge Comprehension" · "Practical skill" and "Presentation skill" in subject areas such as mathematics, science, and social studies. The advantages and disadvantages of ICT are also discussed. Key Words: Professional Development, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Knowledge, teaching learning process.