Significance of Information and Communication Technology in Ensuring Quality in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This research objective was to provide insight about the significance of ICT in ensuring quality instruction at higher education institutes of Gulshan-e-Iqbal town, Karachi. The rationale was analyzing gaps in previous studies and barriers found in ensuring quality of education using ICT in universities of Karachi. Therefore, three hypotheses were formulated to test the relationship between quality of education using ICT and academic achievement, quality of education using ICT and students’ efficiency and quality of education using ICT and improvement in retention. A mixed-method research was used in which two questionnaires were developed, one for teachers and other for students. Moreover, the primary data was collected through a five-point Likert Scale questionnaire for students and teachers. Data was collected through open-ended questions by administering a sample of n = 230 teachers. On the other hand, the secondary data was collected with the help of survey, peer-reviewed journal articles and the self-made analysis checklist during the field visits and triangulation process based on the ICT issues. SPSS Version 20 was used to analyze the hypothesis and pertinent data. Data was verified through trustworthiness as advocated in the qualitative research paradigm. The data analysis of students showed that the all the three null hypotheses were rejected as the P-value read below alpha of 0.05. The results of teachers showed that without technology, their performance was affected. The study recommends that ICT be adopted in all the higher education institutions across Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. This would result in effective students’ performance as well as teachers’ performance.