International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology

Volume No.5 Issue No.1, pp: 50-51

ISSN:2277-1581
01 Jan.2016

Use of Information and Communication Technology among the Veterinary

College students in Puducherry
Tamizhkumaran. J1, Raghy radhakrishnan2
Department of Veterinary and A.H. Extension Education, TANUVAS, Chennai.
2
Department of Livestock Production and Management, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and
Research, Puducherry 605009.
1
docjtk@gmail.com ,2raghy91@gmail.com
1

Abstract : A study was conducted among the veterinary college

students in Puducherry to ascertain the usage pattern of
Information and Communication Technology (ICTs). The
study revealed that majority of the students owned various
ICTs like cell phone, laptop and digital camera etc., and had
the knowledge of using these gadgets for various educational
purposes.
Key words: ICT, college students, cellphone, usage pattern
Introduction
The 21st century is an era of Information Technologies (IT). The
recent innovation like cell phone in the field of digital
technologies has given a new dimension to mankind, particularly
the advancement of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs), which affect various sectors including
livestock sector which uses ICT as a tool to deliver its services.
ICTs are a diverse set of technological tools and resources used
to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage
information. (Wikibooks, 2011). Single device such as mobile
phones can now receive, process, store and display text, image
and sound together (Rashid and Elder, 2009). The link between
cell phones, livelihoods and poverty stems from the recognition
that information is a critical factor for development purposes
(Tacchi et al., 2003). Cell phones are increasingly becoming
popular; they have become a symbol of the use of new ICTs in
the developing world. While there is much anecdotal evidence
about the ability of mobiles to improve the social and economic
status among the poor, there is little systematic evidence that the
benefits of mobiles are generalizable to a larger population
among the poor (Sarin and Jain, 2009). While many of the
internet projects have been in existence for a longer period,
mobile telephony has emerged as one of the most innovative
ways in which information is being delivered to farmers and has
therefore received more attention. The mobile phones have a
great affordability than any other ICTs (Mucemi et al., 2009). In
Africa, mobiles were the most frequently used means of
communication in relation to post offices, internet, fixed
telephone lines etc., both for voice and text (Goodman, 2005)
,which shows that people preferred to use cell phone than other
ICTs.
Materials and Methodology
A survey was carried out among the under graduate and Post
graduate students of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary
Education and Research (RIVER) to assess the usage of ICT
doi : 10.17950/ijset/v5s1/110

among the students. The Institute was selected for the reason it
has a cosmopolitan environment representing students from
various parts of the country. A questionnaire was designed after
conducting a pilot study and was distributed among 200 students
out of which only 141 were returned. The 141 respondents who
returned the questionnaire was made the sample of this study
and the results were analyzed based on their response.
Results and Tables
The study revealed that the respondents who were from different
states of India studying in RIVER were highly familiar with the
ICT gadgets and they owned various modern gadgets like
cellphone(89.4%), laptop or personal computer (58.2%), digital
camera (38.3%), I pod (7.1%), I pad (4.2%) and Tablet (2.1%).
The respondents owned gadgets for different purposes and they
are grouped under three major divisions viz 1. Education, 2.
Entertainment and 3. Games (Table.1). Very few used the
gadgets for e- commerce purpose. Almost all the respondents
who owned cell phone were having smart phones. The Internet
services were also being used through cell phone, laptop or
personal computer for education and entertainment purposes.
The gadgets owned by the respondents were mainly used for
entertainment and playing games compared to that used for
education. In case of education the personal computers and
digital camera was used for documenting and presenting topics
whereas the cell phone was used for sharing information
regarding syllabus, curriculum and other information related to
the Institution.
Table.1 Information on ICT Gadgets owned and used by the
respondents N=141*

Sl.
no
1.
2.

3.

4.
5.
6.

ICT gadgets
owned

Frequ
ency

89.4
58.2

Usage
Educati
on
35
82

entertain
ment
126
82

Gam
es
98
43

Cell phone
Personal
Computer/lapt
op
Digital
Camera/ video
camera
I Pod
I Pad
Tablet

126
82

54

38.3

34

20

10
06
03

07.1
04.2
02.1

10
04
03

06
03

*Multiple response
Page 50

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology

Volume No.5 Issue No.1, pp: 50-51
The study also revealed that the Internet services were the
backbone for the usage of all these gadgets. The internet gave
them a huge platform for utilizing these gadgets to its fullest
potential.
CONCLUSION
The study revealed that majority of the respondents were owning
a cell phone, laptop or personal computer followed by digital
camera and few other gadgets. The gadgets owned by the
respondents were mainly used for entertainment and playing
games compared to that used for education. The scope of using
ICT in the coming years is going to bring in a lot of changes to
education and the communication system.
REFERENCES:
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doi : 10.17950/ijset/v5s1/110

ISSN:2277-1581
01 Jan.2016

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