A Study of the Application of Information Technology in Distance Education in Pakistan

Education plays a vital role to develop the nation culturally, economically and socially. That is why every nation focuses on this sector. For its improvement all endeavors are being made through formal education, Non-formal education and Distance Education. The trend of distance education has developed considerably in developed countries and developing countries. Information technology plays a pivotal role for the development of Distance Education. Keeping in view the importance of I.T in education, this study was developed. The main aim of this study was to investigate the use of information technology in distance education in Pakistan. Population comprised of the I.T users, persons helping, operating or supervising the I.T tools as planners, academicians, designers, programmers, producers, operators, regional directors and Deans of AIOU. Questionnaire on five point Likert scale was prepared. Collected data was tabulated and analyzed. The main conclusions of the study are: The use of information technology is still limited. Computer net work was not used for distance learners, Radio, T.V programs and relevant audio material, videocassettes were prepared and CDs, software still not in use. University library was not computerized. Staff got training from time to time in I.T Education in their specialization. But there is need to make I.T system more sophisticated according to new trends and students' needs. There is also need to develop regional centers, which should serve as resource centers to the facilitation of distance learners.