Revamping Learning Environment with ICT Tools in Higher Education

The role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education has become inevitable in recent days, especially after the pandemic. The use of ICT tools in education has presupposed the acceptance of educational institutions and teachers. Learners have become more self-directed and they rely more on technology for building their knowledge. Currently, teachers are facing Generation Z students who are born into the era of technology and media. These Gen Zs have not seen a world without technology. Hence, it is extremely important to acknowledge the role of these tools and use it for the benefit of learning. Despite the criticisms against using them in learning curricula, ICT tools have made the workplace and learning environment hassle-free. Systematic organization of content, easy retrieval of materials, consistency in learning, and tracking the learning process are some of the experienced advantages on an everyday basis. However, various cultural reasons and the digital divide might be a hindrance in implementing ICT tools effectively. This research article aims to examine the role of ICT tools in re-modeling the learning environment and the need to acknowledge it for enhanced higher education learning. A total of 82 undergraduate students from Lady Doak College, Madurai, were taken as the participants for the study. The results showed that Generation Z learners are already diffused with ICT applications and are prepared for an innovative learning environment. A survey was taken among the teachers of the same college and the results are discussed. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the Diffusion of Innovations, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Motivational Models were used as the major theoretical framework to investigate the same.